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“It has been my dream since the day I arrived”
Omar El Hilali is celebrated in a special event to mark his path from "La21" to the men's first team
RCD Espanyol player Omar El Hilali was the focus of a special event on Wednesday, celebrating his path from the Club’s academy, “La21”, to the men’s first team.
Accompanied by his family and Club officials at an institutional, social and sporting level, Omar showed his charisma and charm in a presentation held at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque, where it all started for him as a youth player.
Fran Garagarza, RCD Espanyol sporting director, highlighted his quality by saying, “It was clear that Omar would succeed and perform well. That is born in his personality and character, something that he infects. We are clear that we must believe in our own, those kids who have that passion for Espanyol, and he has earned this recognition”.
El Hilali himself said, “I am still the same as I was a few years ago. The only thing that has changed is that I have now achieved what I wanted and that I must now work twice as hard, for myself, for my family and also for the Club, who has given me this opportunity. For me it is an immense joy to have my parents and my brothers here today”.
The Moroccan youth international recalled his youth days with laughter and fondness, explaining, “I found out that Espanyol were interested in me while I was at school. I was so happy that I skipped classes and ran home. It has not been an easy journey to get here, but I have to thank my family and all the people who have been by my side who have made it possible for me to achieve the dream I have had since I got here”.
When asked what advice he would give to the young pericos in the Espanyol academy today, Omar responded, "Work hard and be humble and patient, because football ultimately puts you in your place. The first objective we all have now is for the Club to be where it needs to be without forgetting us. Right now we are in the second division and we are going to have to fight until the end”.
In addition to receiving a gift of a replica of his first federation card when he arrived at Espanyol, Omar also received an Espanyol shirt with the number 12, with which he debuted in the B team, and one with the number 23 that he now wears for the men’s first team.
Finally, Antoni Fernández Teixidó, president of the RCDE Foundation, gave El Hilali a few books a couple which document the long history of RCD Espanyol, telling him, “I hope that in future editions, the name El Hilali will appear as part of a brilliant page in our history”.