“If you don’t believe in it, everything is lost”: Asian Cup, shoulder, future, the secrets of MHSC striker Mousa Tamari

Despite his injured shoulder and his defeat in the Asian Cup final, Mousa Tamari remains optimistic for the future. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Less than three weeks after the Asian Cup final lost with Jordan in Qatar, Hérault striker Mousa Tamari speaks out for the first time. All smiles despite a sore shoulder and pressure that he relieves with ease.

Mousa Tamari (26 years old) knows how to be desired. For a month, Montpellier waited for him. Screwed to the screens and its rides during an Asian Cup which became interminable, the MHSC finally recovered its will-o'-the-wisp. But “Bip Bip”, one of his countless nicknames, is as elusive as ever. Thursday, in Grammont, the hour of waiting was not his fault. But that of his shoulder, which the medical staff takes care of. Well-groomed, showered and always smiling, he finally sat down on one of the sofas in the clubhouse overlooking the training grounds. For 45 minutes of interview in English which also justified the wait before a still crucial match against Strasbourg on Sunday.

Your trainer Michel Der Zakarian said that you did not feel the wait from Montpellier, that you were calm. Is it true ?

Not calm, because I received messages during the Asian Cup. I know the supporters were waiting for me. I will do my best for them. I don’t have to be stressed. I don’t feel any pressure, I don’t like it. I prefer to be calm, focused 100% on matches to be able to do good things.

But when supporters are waiting for you like the Messiah, isn’t that too much for one man?

No, it’s okay (smile). I know what they mean by waiting for me like this.

🏆AFC #アジアカップ カタール 2023

✨決勝✨
🇯🇴#ヨルダン🆚#カタール🇶🇦

🔥注目選手👀#ヤザン・アル・ナイマト (Yazan Al Naimat)🇯🇴#ムサ・ターマリ (Mousa Tamari)🇯🇴#JORvQAT #HayyaAsia #アジアカップ2023 #AsianCup2023#AsianCupFinal pic.twitter.com/N3hEHnZ1xS

— #アジアカップ2023 公式 (@afcasiancup_jp) February 10, 2024

I asked my agent just one thing: "Don’don't call me if you don’have a club that plays the Champions League or the Europa League." It will be the next step. I played Europe with Apoel Nicosia, it was incredible.

So the next summer promises to be hectic around you ?

I think so (laughing). But I’m not preparing for it. When we finish the championship, there will be two very important matches with the selection. After mid-June, we'll see.

Your shoulder injury during the Asian Cup final caused a lot of concern at the MHSC. Did you think you'd play again so soon ?

It’s a bad injury. If I fall on it again, I will have to operate. This is why we strap ourselves, why we do everything to protect. I was a little worried after the final. At the time, I wanted to avoid the opposing player, he took the ball but touched my leg. And I fell with my arm forward.

🥇 𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗦 avez élu Mousa Tamari joueur du match de ce #OMMHSC

🥈Sylla
🥉Nordin pic.twitter.com/94nSSvT5CC

— MHSC (@MontpellierHSC) February 27, 2024

So you spent almost six months without a goal with Montpellier. Did you doubt ?

Yes because the wingers must be decisive, with passes or goals. We have to help the team a lot. But now I feel better.

Akor Adams is a very good player, a nice person too. He works a lot and he will succeed in scoring. From the next match.

Your partner Akor Adams is still silent offensively in L1 (since October 29 and his double against TFC, 3-0). What do you tell him ?

We talk a lot. He’s a very good player, a nice person too. He works a lot and he will succeed in scoring. From the next match.

On Sunday, you face Strasbourg, where you took a test as a teenager but where you were refused. Is this a motivation?

You'll see on Sunday, we'll save that for that day (smile).

Closed closer, Tamari changed status

"Mousa qui ?" L’été last year, apart from fans of the Jupiler Pro League, there were few of them. know Mousa Tamari. Eight months after his arrival at Montpellier, the former player of the Belgian club Louvain, left freely, changed of status. What he notices himself, particularly among his opponents in Ligue 1. "There is always one or two players on me now . I have to adapt, be more active, not just be at home. outside, go inside more, find this freedom", he believes. Tamari also understands people better, even if he doesn't yet speak French. "I have to take lessons but I didn’not have time until’à present", he smiles, when asked if he now decodes Southern expressions or insults . "Maybe, Tamari laughs. But I won't repeat them!"

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