Dutch Prodigy Ihattaren Scores Against Former Club in Comeback Bid

Mohamed Ihattaren is giving his all to improve his physical condition and level of play. The 22-year-old player aspires to become a better person, more balanced and in better shape. To achieve his goal, he is currently taking kickboxing lessons. "I hit and kick the bags that the coach holds for me, but it’s very different from sparring or fighting an opponent. The bag and the coach don’t hit back..." he confides.

Born in Utrecht, Ihattaren was promised a bright future. As a teenager, he made his debut at PSV, a club he left after a falling out with coach Roger Schmidt. The young player, full of talent, then sank professionally, failing to establish himself at Juventus, Sampdoria, Ajax and Slavia Prague. In his personal life, it was also chaos. Deeply affected by the death of his father, he had disappeared from the radar. As he was regaining a taste for life, his Porsche was set on fire. Shortly after, he married the influencer Yasmine Driouech, a union that only lasted a few months.

Since last summer, Ihattaren has been playing for RKC. According to his agent, José Fortes Rodriguez, the 22-year-old player needed psychological support to relaunch his career. To heal from his traumas, he has been followed by the former psychiatrist Bram Bakker and the behavioral coach Daan Ruiter. "Bakker and Ruiter are top-notch. They really helped me. This also applies to Mo Allach and Henk Fräser, (technical director and coach of RKC, editor’s note)," said Ihattaren.

And to add: "I feel tremendously appreciated here. From the first meeting where they offered me a drink, I felt at home." Since his arrival at RKC, the young player has been making steady progress. On Saturday, he provided proof of this, with his goal scored against his former club, Ajax.

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