When it comes to the most important decision-makers in the world of football, none are as influential as Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi according to one publication.
France Football recently named the top 50 most powerful people in football and Al-Khelaifi, who is also the chairman of beIN Media Group, tops the list and it’s really not a surprise considering he leads one of the biggest football clubs in Europe, heads a media company with more than 50 million subscribers, and will play a major role in the 2020 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
After hearing of the news, Al-Khelaifi named a few of those who have influenced him, which includes UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary Manchester United manager, and Michael Jordan, whom he negotiated with to bring his Jordan Brand to PSG.
When it comes to players who have suited up for PSG, Al-Khelaifi recalls two in particular that stood out.
“…I could still highlight the passage of Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his character, his leadership, his charisma, and his ability to get things done. He was always reliable, and when the situation demanded him, he knew how to stand up to the challenges of the moment.”
Al-Khelaifi also mentioned David Beckham as a player who made an impact even though his time at the club was short.
“…he had a transformative effect on our club. His investment in training, his concern to apply himself to every detail of every moment, his determination to succeed, his taste for teamwork, and his natural aura were extremely precious assets.”
You can read more about the top 50 list from France Football here and Al-Khelaifi’s comments here.
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