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Al-Musrati: Monaco's new midfield engine

News
E. DEVIN
Published on 02/15/2025 at 01:00
3-minute read
Al-Musrati has become the first Libyan player in the history of Ligue 1 McDonald's

With AS Monaco set to take on FC Nantes tomorrow in Ligue 1 McDonald's, we take a closer look at the Principality side's newest signing, veteran midfielder Moatasem Al-Musrati.

A first Libyan in LIGUe 1

While the Monégasques had been strongly linked to Jordan Henderson in the winter window, they eventually reached an agreement with Turkish side Besiktas to take Al-Musrati on loan through the end of the season, with a purchase option. The towering midfielder made his name over several seasons playing in Portugal, playing first for Vitoria de Guimaraes then a loan spell at Rio Ave before playing parts of four seasons with SC Braga. With Braga, he made more than thirty appearances in Europe, including a run to the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals in 2022 before making the switch to Besiktas last year.

Strong in the air and a canny passer of the ball, he becomes the first Libyan to have played in Ligue 1 McDonald's, and even if his full debut in Monaco's loss to Benfica midweek in the UEFA Champions League was less than auspicious as he was sent off, the player who has featured more than forty times for his country is seen as a major asset, with the ability to add plenty of experience to a young AS Monaco side. 

Speaking to the club's website about being a trailblazer for his country, he emphasized that he hopes he can be an example for future generations, saying "I am very proud for my family and for my country, to be the first player from Libya to play in France and in Monaco in particular. It is a great feeling for me to be a pioneer.  I really hope that in the future, many young talents will follow the same path, because we have very good football players. They just have to take this step of coming to play in Europe to write their own history here."

Experience (and trophies)

While he is no longer a part of his country's side, Al-Musrati did help the Mediterranean Knights to a major trophy in 2014, as he was part of the side that won the African Nations Championship over Ghana in South Africa. His trophy cabinet continued to be filled by his time in Portugal and Turkey as well. With Braga, he won both the Portuguese Cup (2021) and Portuguese League Cup (2024), before helping Besiktas win the Turkish Cup at the conclusion of last season. 

Now he joins a Monaco side that has few veteran players, but will look to bring his experience to bear in helping Adi HĂŒtter's young side reach their potential. Speaking again at his presentation, Al-Musrati emphasized the importance of this, saying, "Here are a lot of young players in this squad so it is important to help them, and to support them even when they make mistakes, to reassure them and explain to them how not to make them again. Everyone makes mistakes, so it is important to stay close to them and support them in their progress."

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