Al Sadd star Akram Afif capped off another sensational season by being named Best Player at the Qatar Football Association (QFA) Awards 2024-2025, held Monday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.Afif, who played a pivotal role in helping Al Sadd retain their Qatar Stars League title and Qatar Cup, earned the award for the second consecutive year after receiving an overwhelming 89.27% of the vote ahead of fellow nominees Baghdad Bounedjah of Al Shamal and Julian Draxler of Al Ahli. He finished the league with 18 goals, second only to Roger Guedes, and led the assist chart with 15 assists, underlining his status as Qatar’s most influential footballer.The 28-year-old dedicated the award to his teammates and loved ones. "Thank God for this award, which is due to the efforts of all my fellow players at Al Sadd,” said Afif. "It is also an incentive for me in the future. I thank the Al Sadd management, the technical staff and my colleagues who helped me. We are all working for the benefit of the team.”"This is not an individual award, even if it were,” he added, "but it is an award for the players as a whole. God willing, we aspire to what is coming for the benefit of Al Sadd Club and Qatari football.”He also acknowledged his fellow nominees: "I congratulate Baghdad Bounedjah and Julian Draxler. They also deserved the award, and we are all working for the benefit of Qatari football.”In a nod to fans, Afif said: "We, as players, know that Al Sadd fans will only be happy if we win the Asian Champions League. We were close this season, and we will try again next season.”The glittering ceremony was held in the presence of Jassim Rashid al-Buenain, President of the QFA, alongside club representatives, dignitaries, and members of the media.Al Sadd continued their sweep of top honours, with Felix Sanchez receiving the Best Coach award after guiding the team to both the league and Qatar Cup titles. Meshaal Barsham was also recognised, winning the Best Goalkeeper award after receiving 48.18% of the votes.Former Qatar coach Sanchez praised the collective effort behind the Al Sadd club’s success. "This season has been full of challenges,” Sanchez said. "Winning the Best Coach award is a great honour and a motivation to work even harder in the next season.”He extended his gratitude to the technical staff and acknowledged the commitment shown throughout the campaign: "Everyone worked tirelessly to keep the team competing at the highest level in all competitions.”Sanchez also congratulated his players: "Akram Afif and Meshaal Barsham had an outstanding season and played a big part in the team’s success.”Barsham said: "I thank my colleagues at the club and the national team for their support. I also thank the management of Al Sadd Club for their trust and continuous support, especially in this season, which was the most difficult season for me and faced many challenges, especially since I was recovering from injury and underwent surgery for the first time."Elsewhere, Roger Guedes of Al Rayyan claimed the Mansour Muftah Award for top scorer, netting 21 goals during the league campaign. Mohammed Mannai of Al Shamal was named Best Under-23 Player, earning 41.24% of the vote.The QFA also paid tribute to the game's contributors with its highest honours. The Order of Achievement was posthumously awarded to Ahmed Omar and Ali Mohammed al-Ali, both former national team players and influential figures in Qatari football. The duo was also honoured with the Medal of Giving.The ‘Football for All’ award went to the "Negdar (We Can)” initiative, a collaboration between Qatar Stars League, Generation Amazing, Lekhwiya, and the Ministry of Public Health, for promoting football’s social impact.Al Sadd fans were also recognised, winning the Best Fans Award based on average attendance, creativity, and community engagement.The Best Refereeing Team award was presented to: Mohammed Ahmed al-Shammari (Best Referee);Juma Mohammed al-Burshaid and Khaled Aied Khalaf (Best Assistant Referees) and Abdulrahman Ibrahim al-Jassim (Best VAR)
May 26, 2025 | 11:21 PM