French star N'Golo Kanté, midfielder for Saudi club Al-Ittihad, expressed his immense happiness after being chosen as the best player in his team's match against New Zealand's Auckland City, in the opening game of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup. Kanté emphasized that the individual award is a culmination of the entire team's efforts, stressing that the focus is now on continuing to work towards achieving more victories.
In his remarks during the post-match press conference, Kanté said: “I’m very happy with this win and receiving the Man of the Match award, but the most important thing is the team’s performance and achieving our first victory in the tournament. Now we have to continue working hard and staying focused for the upcoming matches.” His words, as always, reflected his great humility and the team spirit that has made him one of the most beloved players in the world.
The context of the match and its importance to Al-Ittihad
This match was part of the preliminary round of the FIFA Club World Cup, hosted by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah. Al-Ittihad, the 2022-2023 Saudi Professional League (SPL) champions, represented the host nation in this edition. The match against Auckland City, the Oceania champions, was Al-Ittihad's first in the tournament, and it carried the hopes of Saudi fans for a strong start. Al-Ittihad secured a resounding 3-0 victory, with goals from Romarinho, N'Golo Kanté, and Karim Benzema, making a strong statement in the Club World Cup.
Kante's impact and Al-Ittihad's historic signings
N'Golo Kanté's arrival at Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 from Chelsea is considered one of the most significant transfers in the history of the Saudi Professional League. The 2018 World Cup winner with France and Champions League winner brought with him immense international experience and unparalleled technical ability in midfield. His transfer was part of a major sporting project aimed at elevating Saudi football and making it a destination for the world's brightest stars, alongside other players who joined Al-Ittihad such as Karim Benzema and Fabinho. Since his arrival, Kanté has proven to be an exceptional addition, not only with his technical skill but also with his leadership and dedication on the pitch.
Exceptional performance and anticipated impact
Kante's Man of the Match award came as no surprise to observers, as he delivered a complete performance against Auckland City. He dominated the midfield, intercepted numerous passes, contributed to building attacks, and capped his efforts by scoring his team's second goal with a rocket shot from outside the penalty area. This performance confirmed the French star's high level of physical and technical readiness and sent a strong message to Al-Ittihad's rivals in the tournament. Both domestically and continentally, Kante is expected to play a pivotal role in Al-Ittihad's quest to compete for all titles, including the Saudi Professional League and the AFC Champions League.
