Julian Draxler finds himself in a peaceful place. The 31-year-old German international feels content with his life in Qatar. He is a happy father, husband, and footballer, playing for Al-Ahli. His time there has been “wonderful,” as he told Le Parisien. He even signed a new contract, staying with the club until 2028.
This feeling of fulfillment is a big change from some recent years. Draxler admits his first year in Qatar was a bit tricky. It followed a difficult end to his time at Paris Saint-Germain. Before that, he had a loan spell at Benfica that he would rather forget. He picked up an injury there. That made it hard to find his rhythm again. He never got back to his best form. But last season was great, and that’s why he renewed his deal.
Some might wonder if he ever thought about quitting the game early. “Yes, it’s no secret,” Draxler shared. He’s very happy now, though. He has great affection for PSG, where he spent six wonderful years. It was a team full of stars, and it wasn’t always easy for him. He still regrets how his journey with them ended. When he came back from his loan at Benfica in 2023, PSG made it clear they no longer needed him. He wanted a project that genuinely interested him. He felt then that his career might be reaching its end. But then, the path to Qatar opened up.
Injuries certainly impacted Draxler’s career. He has earned 58 caps for Germany. But another major reason pushed him to leave Paris. He experienced an attempted robbery just before his move to Qatar. The incident kept replaying in his mind. He had always believed it was too soon to move to that part of the world. After the robbery, he looked at his wife. He told her, “I think we really have to go to Qatar…” That moment sealed his decision. Walking around Paris with his young son wasn’t always simple. He often needed to hide his face with a cap. “I’m not Neymar,” he explained, “but if you play for PSG, it’s tough to have a normal life.” Qatar offers the opposite experience. “You look people in the eyes,” he said. That’s the normal life he truly desires.