At only 22 years old, it already seems too late for Mohamed Ihattaren. Although heralded as a prodigy for many years, the Utrecht native has been free of any contract since last March and has not played an official match since May 6, 2022. A real enigma that finds its solution in the player’s winding career. However, the beginnings suggested a brilliant career. Starting at PSV Eindhoven when he was only 17, the attacking midfielder definitely exploded during the 2019/2020 season by becoming a key player for the Boeren (33 matches played for seven goals and nine assists). Impacted at the end of 2019 by the death of his father Mostapha, Mohamed Ihattaren will slowly sink into depression. The following season, his relationship with coach Roger Schmidt will set the powder keg alight.
Set aside by the German coach, he will benefit from the support of his agent Mino Raiola who will turn on the current Benfica coach: ” What happened yesterday is absolutely unworthy of PSV. We do not agree with the content, but the way it was presented is unacceptable and inadmissible. Does Schmidt need a third party like the players’ group to have an opinion? Next time he should tell his partner what he thinks. Special footballers need a special approach. In this respect, I am glad that Schmidt was not Maradona’s coach, because then we would never have seen the real Maradona. » A shocking outing, a complimentary comparison for the player, yet the sequel will not live up to the talent of Mohamed Ihattaren.
The Sampdoria fiasco and the awakening at Ajax
In complete divorce with PSV Eindhoven, Mohamed Ihattaren will finally leave the Italian way and land on the side of Juventus. A long-term bet by the Vecchia Signora who will send him on loan to Sampdoria so that he can discover Serie A with less pressure. An experience that will quickly turn sour. It’s simple, he will never wear the Genoa club jersey on a Serie A pitch. Arriving with five kilos too many and despite the support of his coach at the time Roberto D’Aversa, he will set foot more in the evenings of Monaco and Milan than in the enclosure of the Estadio Luigi-Ferraris. A bet without permission in Utrecht to recharge his batteries, he will not give news for a long time. His loan will finally be broken, but Ajax Amsterdam will then obtain his loan in order to try to relaunch him.
” Mo Ihattaren is only 19 years old and is considered one of the greatest talents in our country. However, due to certain circumstances, he has not played a match for a long time. With us, he will continue to work on his fitness at Jong Ajax (in the second division, editor’s note). There, he will then be able to show that he is still the good player we know. I am very curious. We offer him this opportunity and we will help him, but of course, it starts with himself and he knows that ” announced the sporting director at the time Marc Overmars. Within the Godenzonen, Mohamed Ihattaren was 15 kilos overweight when he arrived, but gave a glimpse that his career could be saved. Author of 4 goals and 2 assists in 5 matches with the reserve and regaining his form, he will even play with the first team in the final of the 2022 Dutch Cup lost against PSV Eindhoven (2-1).
Mafia and long agony
Participating in the preparation for the 2022/2023 season with Ajax Amsterdam, he showed good qualities which suggested his presence in the first team in a lasting manner. I just want to show how good I am, and that’s what we’re doing at the moment. Ajax know what I can do if I’m really fit. I still have a whole career ahead of me, I’m still very young. I know now what’s good for me and what I need “, he said. However, the situation suddenly became complicated for him and he missed the Super Cup lost against PSV Eindhoven (5-3) and the resumption of the season. Engaged to the influencer Yasmine Driouech whose family – who are said to be linked to the Mocro Maffia, a mafia organization operating in Belgium and the Netherlands – who did not appreciate this union, his safety was threatened. His Porsche Panamera was notably burnt out and a few weeks later, he was arrested by the police and his home was searched on accusations of domestic violence. His partner having notably filed a complaint. His house was even seized since he never paid for a dining table worth 2,800 euros purchased in 2021. Many setbacks that will keep the player away from the Netherlands. Released on December 31, 2022 by Ajax Amsterdam and on July 28, 2023 by Juventus, he will try to bounce back in Turkey.
Having signed a four-year contract with Samsunspor, he ultimately scuppered the deal at the last minute. Our club recently invited the footballer Mohamed Ihattaren, whose contract terms were agreed, to Samsun to undergo health checks and sign a contract, then the footballer came to our city. Our club has given up on the transfer of the player who tried to change the previously agreed terms and made unacceptable demands. We bring this situation to the attention of the public “, announced the Turkish team a year ago. After several more months without a club, he finally joined the Czech team Slavia Prague last December. In one month, Ihattaren worked a lot, lost several kilos and, according to the tests, he also gained a lot of muscle mass. It’s a gamble, but we knew it, we went for it “, said the coach of the Czech club Jindřich Trpišovský with optimism. An experience that was once again cut short. Not playing an official match, he was released due to behavioral problems on March 31. While he maintains his form on his side, Mohamed Ihattaren has already wasted many opportunities in his career. Since then, it has been a complete lull and no one has yet knocked on the door of the former PSV Eindhoven prodigy.
