One El of a careers guidance
ANWAR EL GHAZI will take his Old Trafford bow today – after career guidance off former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.
The winger was seeking answers over his future when he turned to the Portugal star.
Ronaldo had not long moved from Old Trafford to join Real Madrid in an £80million move that, by today’s standards, now looks to be a snip.
And, thanks to a mutual friend, he was able to hook up with the five-time
Ballon d’Or winner and learn a few pointers.
El Ghazi, 24, remained coy when quizzed about the friend, but, given the question as to whether his international future lay with either Holland or Morocco – it is likely that middleman was Badr Hari.
The kickboxing champ is a personal friend of Ronaldo and shares the same heritage as El Ghazi, who said: “I was only 19 years old and I travelled to Madrid to see Cristiano.
“I found I had a connection to him via a friend of his in Morocco, who I knew as well.
“I was really surprised as he knew me from Ajax and he was very helpful and open. He was a great example.
“He gave me some good advice on my issue, but, in the end, it was down to me.
“I had information as well from my own family and friends, but when he was in front of me, I just thought to myself, ‘Why not ask him?’
“Like I say, he was a very good example – it was a good moment.”
The playmaker started at Ajax before seeking first-team chances at
Lille. Signed on the say of Villa’s former head of European scouting Ian Atkins, he is already in club folklore.
Six months ago, he scored one of the goals that sent the club back into the Premier League.