The Peninsula
Al Arabi coach Heimir Hallgrimsson yesterday said the club wished the retired Qatari great Khalfan Ibrahim stayed with them, instead of calling time on his playing career.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of their QNB Stars League (QSL) Week 4 match against Al Shahania, the Icelandic tactician said he and other team members respect the former Qatari international’s decision to retire.
In an Arabic message posted on Al Kass’ Twitter handle, Ibrahim was quoted as saying: “I am announcing my retirement from football. I hope that everyone respects my decision that I took after years of thinking. All due respect to the clubs - Al Sadd, Al Rayyan and Al Arabi - that helped me in my career.”
“It’s the player’s decision and we can’t interfere in it. It’s unfortunate and I can’t go deeper because he’s the decision-maker, but we wished he stayed with us. We were hoping he would go back on his decision. But only Khalfan can make the best decision for himself,” Hullgrimsson said.
Ibrahim’s surprise retirement came just a week after he announced he was joining Al Arabi for the new QSL season that kicked off last month.
The 31-year-old was named the Asian Player of the Year in 2006, becoming the first Qatari to win the title. Al Sadd’s Abdelkarim Hassan won the same award last year.
Other top awards for Ibrahim include QSL Young Player of the Year 2006, Best Arab Player 2007 and Qatar Player of the Year 2013.
In 2011, Ibrahim won the AFC Champions League title with Al Sadd.