Will we see Hatem Ben Arfa one day on a football field? If he has still not officially announced the end of his professional footballer career, the 38 -year -old French striker has not replayed since his free departure from LOSC in the summer of 2022. He now prefers to indulge in his new passion, the Padel.
Considered one of the greatest talents that France has never formed, “HBA” has not had the career that was promised. She could also have taken a turning point yet any other … To believe her former physical trainer, Fabien Richard, Ben Arfa was very close to being sold in his early days in Lyon. Jean-Michel Aulas, then president of the Gones, wanted to give in for a derisory amount … at AS Saint-Etienne!
“” Mr. Aulas wants to sell it in Saint-Etienne for a ridiculous sum. They want to get rid of it, at least that's what his agent tells me. He also tells me that if he works, he will go very high. (…) So, we start to work, like crazy! Lots of sessions per week. We worked in a small room which he fitted out at home, on his balcony … »Confides Fabien Richard, former physical trainer of Ben Arfa, in Colinterviewe.
“If Hatem wants Lorient to be champion of France, Lorient will be champion of France”
Additional sessions that ended up paying. Jean-Michel Aulas decides to keep it and Hatem Ben Arfa exploded in the months that follow. Brilliant for its pro -beginning in pro with Olympique Lyonnais, the Native of Clamart was called to the French team in 2007, then was transferred to OM in 2008 for 12 million euros.
“And there, the guy explodes, he does everything that year, with the French team, tells Fabien Richard. Then he leaves in Marseille for I don't know how many millions. I am not responsible because his talent is incredible, but I may be a piece of the puzzle (smile). (…) Work discipline is a routine. It is support. Mathieu Bodmer told me 'If Hatem wants Lorient to be French champion, Lorient will be champion of France'. In Nice, when he accelerated, he played against playmobiles. »»
