Tuesday 24 / September / 2024
MUSCAT: Omani football has a new rising star. At just 19 years old, Mohammed Al Naamani has made headlines by signing a one-year deal with Spanish La Liga club Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday.
Once a relatively unknown name, Al Naamani's sudden breakthrough in Madrid has electrified the Sultanate’s sports world, showcasing the remarkable potential of the young striker who started his journey at Muscat Football Academy (MFA).
Al Naamani, who has been playing in Italy with ASD Genova Calcio, shared his excitement in an exclusive statement to Times of Oman "After six years of experience with different clubs in Italy, I’m very excited to start a new journey with Rayo Vallecano in Spain.
“It’s a dream come true for me, and Inshallah, with Allah’s blessings, I hope to see myself playing with the first team and being part of the Oman national team.”
Despite not yet featuring in the national squad, Al Naamani’s signing may now open doors for his inclusion in the Red Warriors under new coach Rasheed Jaber.
Reflecting on his roots, Al Naamani paid tribute to MFA, where his footballing journey began at the age of 8.
“At MFA, I was given ample exposure and plenty of opportunities to participate in tournaments like the Dubai Cup, Portugal Mondalito, Spain Mondalito, and the Man City Cup. These experiences helped me develop and grow as a footballer,” he said.
His former coach Chuck Martini, who always predicted great things for Al Naamani, could not contain his pride. “It means the world to me to see my students join top-class clubs in the world. Mohammed was special from the very beginning, and today, we are all proud to see him sign with one of the top Spanish La Liga clubs," said Martini.
Martini reminisced about Al Naamani’s early days at MFA, recalling, “I remember Mohammed as an eight-year-old coming to the academy with his father. A few days into training, I could see that this boy was talented and destined for great things. Our coaches worked tirelessly with him, and it’s an incredible feeling to see him join a club like Rayo Vallecano.”
Al Naamani's trial at Rayo Vallecano spanned three weeks, during which the coaching staff was impressed by his skills, leading to the offer of a professional contract.
Martini added, “The hard work starts now for Mohammed as he aims to break into Rayo’s first team. I have no doubt he will succeed and score many goals. He is a goal-machine. It’s a huge moment for him, his family, and for Omani football.”
Rayo Vallecano, a club based in Madrid’s Vallecas neighborhood, has recently bolstered its squad with the signing of Colombian star James Rodriguez.
Speaking of the club’s rich history, Martini noted, “Rayo Vallecano has seen big names over the years. Now, Mohammed will be part of this exciting chapter. I’m sure this is just the beginning for him.”
With a capacity of 14,700 at Vallecas Stadium, Rayo’s best performance in La Liga came in 2012-13 when they finished eighth. The club's only European campaign was in 2000-01.
Their most significant title was the 2017-18 Segunda División (Second Division) championship.
However, the club has a history of big names: former English winger Laurie Cunningham played here in the 1980s, as did Austrian forward Toni Polster and Mexican striker Hugo Sánchez in the 1990s.
Current president Raúl Martín Presa has continued that tradition: Rodríguez's fellow Colombian, Radamel Falcao, played here for the last three seasons.
Presa proudly compared Rodriguez’s arrival to that of Diego Maradona, who was signed by Napoli in 1984. Older Rayo fans will remember Diego's brother, Hugo, as one of their least successful signings in the late 1980s.
Over the years, legendary players have graced the club’s history, adding prestige to Al Naamani’s new home.
As Al Naamani embarks on this exciting new chapter in Spain, he remains focused on making an impact in La Liga and pursuing his dream of representing Oman on the international stage.
