The road wasn't easy for Jordanian international Musa Al-Taamari at the start of this season, but the "Jordanian Messi," as his fans affectionately call him, managed to turn things around and become a key player for French club Rennes. With the highly anticipated match against Lille approaching on Saturday in the 17th round of the French Ligue 1, all eyes are on Al-Taamari, who has transformed from an underwhelming right-back into a lethal attacking weapon on the left flank.
A journey of challenge and self-affirmation in European stadiums
Musa Al-Taamari is a landmark figure in the history of Jordanian football, having worked his way up from local leagues to successful professional stints in Cyprus with APOEL Nicosia and in Belgium with Oud-Heverlee Leuven. His arrival in the French Ligue 1 with Montpellier in 2013 was a historic event, as he became the first Jordanian to play professionally in one of Europe's top five leagues, before moving to Rennes in the last winter transfer window. This progression has given him considerable experience in handling pressure, which is clearly evident in his ability to adapt to his new position.
Tactical explosion and change of positions
The start of the current season (2025-2026) was frustrating for El-Amri and Rennes fans, as he was deployed as a right-back, a position demanding strict defensive commitment that limited his attacking threat. However, the turning point came at the end of October during the Nice match, when Senegalese coach Habib Beye moved him to the left flank. This tactical change was no coincidence; it revealed the player's immense potential, as evidenced in the Toulouse and Brest matches, where he turned the tide by providing an assist and scoring a goal.
Commenting on this transformation, coach Habib Bey said, “He’s completely different from the Musa I knew six months ago. He’s a player who plays with joy and a smile, and most importantly, he’s raised his level in daily training.” The coach pointed out that playing on the left wing allowed Al-Taamari to exploit his greatest strength, his supersonic speed, without needing to stop and adjust the ball on his left foot as he did on the right.
Fair competition and its impact on the team
Al-Taamari's brilliance has ignited competition within the team, particularly with French youth international Quentin Merlin, who displayed excellent sportsmanship despite being relegated to the bench or having his position changed because of him. Merlin stated, "Moussa is much faster than me... It's a great challenge between us; we push each other forward." This competitive spirit reflects the healthy environment within the Rennes dressing room, which is a crucial factor in the team's improved results.
Preparing for the World Cup dream
This resurgence of Al-Taamari (28 years old) comes at an ideal time, as the Jordanian national team prepares to compete in the World Cup finals for the first time in its history. The Jordanian and Arab sporting community is placing great hopes on Al-Taamari's readiness, considering him a key pillar of the "Nashama" (Jordanian national team). Al-Taamari's return to his attacking prowess and his winning the Player of the Month award for December from Rennes fans send reassuring messages to the Jordanian national team's coaching staff that their star player is fully prepared to compete against the world's best.
