Between the green pitch and the university benches, Ajman defender Abdelrahman Rakan has proven that success is not measured by location, but by persistence and will. Big dreams can be achieved when passion is combined with commitment, and knowledge with ambition.
Rakan's journey as an Ajman defender was not easy as he tried to balance his university studies in engineering with his professional football career, but he managed to achieve the difficult equation and finally obtain a bachelor's degree in engineering after years of struggle and hard work.
Rakan told "Al-Ittihad Al-Youm": "Those years were the most difficult in my life, I didn't know the taste of rest or leaving the house for the past three years, my life was between the university and training only, and there was no time for anything else".
He added: "At one stage, I seriously thought about leaving football, which I have loved since I was five years old, even though my father and cousins all played the game and encouraged me, but the lack of time and the pressure of studies almost pushed me to retire, if it weren't for Ajman coach Goran who intervened at the right time".
He pointed out that "Ajman coach Goran gave me a three-month leave in the last year so that I could fully devote myself to studying and taking exams, and that decision was a turning point that saved my football career".
After receiving his graduation certificate, Abdelrahman Rakan felt that the long effort had not gone in vain, confirming that that moment was more beautiful than any victory or championship in his career.
He continued: "Engineering taught me discipline and precision, and football taught me patience and team spirit, and combining them made me a stronger and more balanced person".
But Rakan's story does not stop at graduation or the stadiums, as he sees that real success is giving back to the United Arab Emirates state that provided him with the opportunity for education and care, and he said: "I decided to work in a government job, in appreciation of the state that helped me complete my studies, and I do not want to go into private business, because serving the country is my biggest aspiration".
The player confirms that his mother was his biggest supporter in his educational and sports journey, she was the one who stood by him at every stage, following up on his studies and encouraging him to excel until he became one of the top students.
He added: "I promised my mother that I would continue my football career without affecting my engineering studies, and thank God I fulfilled my promise".
Despite his fame as a professional player, Rakan smiles when asked about the title closest to his heart, saying: "I love it when friends and fans call me 'Engineer' more than 'Captain', because it summarizes my journey between the stadiums and the lecture halls".
In conclusion of his statements, Rakan gave advice to young and emerging players, stressing the importance of not neglecting studies under any circumstances or for any reason, confirming that "without education, no one can achieve real success in the field he loves and aspires to".
