Manchester United debut, Zidane Iqbal idolized Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil

Zidane Iqbal, a Manchester United prodigy, earned his Red Devils debut this week.

The Iraqi U23 international made history by being the first South Asian footballer to wear the renowned red shirt, coming on as a late substitute in the 1-1 draw against Young Boys.

Iqbal was not inspired by United legends like Wayne Rooney or Cristiano Ronaldo when he was younger.

Mesut Ozil, the ex-Arsenal playmaker, was Iqbal’s childhood hero due to his Muslim heritage.

HERITAGE OF PAKISTAN
On Manchester United’s official website, Iqbal was asked who he looked up to as he progressed through the levels.

“Mesut Ozil, since he, too, is a Muslim.” He revealed, “Just seeing another Muslim footballer is a positive thing.”

“Everyone’s journey is different, and I can tell you it’s not easy. It’s like riding a rollercoaster, with its ups and downs. All you have to do now is enjoy the trip, and whatever is meant to be will be.”

While the box-to-box midfielder also said that he loves to style his own game after Barcelona’s Dutch ace Frenkie de Jong.

The talented young man was born in Manchester, England, to a Pakistani father and an Iraqi mother.

“I come from a family of hard workers. My dad, brother, and grandparents are all hard workers.

“When we first arrived in this country, they all motivated me to give it my all in all I did.”

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He began his career playing for Sale United before being recruited by United scouts to join their academy at the age of nine, the earliest age legally permitted.

Stewart Hamer, Iqbal’s former coach, recently lauded Iqbal’s demeanor to the Manchester Evening News.

He remarked, “He had a terrific attitude, was always willing to learn, and he played with a big smile on his face.”

“He was more than willing to take on any task we threw at him.”

“For example, everyone did their role in being a goalkeeper, and he’d do the same in the net as everyone else.”

He was already running rings around the opposition at the age of six, which his coach thought was “unfair.”

“We had a lot of success at that point, if you can call it that,” Hamer added, “and Zidane was at the core of it.”

“There were occasions when we’d play six-a-side tournaments and he’d essentially rip it up.”

“We’d yank him off and replace him because it wasn’t fair to the opposing team.”

“Or we’d place him in goal so he wasn’t putting anyone in risk.”

BECKONS OF INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL
Iqbal may represent England because he was born in the United Kingdom.

But, for the time being, Iraq is reaping the benefits of the gifted youth.

He got called up to their U23 team for the first time in September.

He scored his first goal in a 2-2 tie against Lebanon a month later as captain.

The Iraq Football Association, according to rumors, is desperate for Iqbal to commit his future to the national squad.

Gareth Southgate, England’s manager, emphasized the necessity of including more British South Asian players in the tournament back in August.

“In the anti-discrimination debate, the Asian voice has been lost on sometimes,” Southgate remarked.

“And when you look at the percentages of the population we’re talking about, they’re huge.” To be honest, we’re missing out on a huge talent pool in football. We don’t have a lot of English-qualified players on the field anyway, and clubs’ academies are always looking for new talent.

“It’s the same way in any business.” What are you missing if you’re only picking from a small portion of the population?

“What I’ve noticed with the England team in recent seasons is that the dynamic in terms of supporters approaching me has changed dramatically, with many more Asian people approaching me, talking about their pride in the squad, talking about the team’s diversity.”

“That would be much more effective if someone from the Asian community was also on the team, and we had more diversity across the board.”

Is it possible that Iqbal will be the one to break through? Manchester United supporters will undoubtedly hope so.