„My good feeling has been confirmed so far.“

sv98.de: Ibi, you’ve been a Lilien player for just under a month now. Have you settled in well?

El Kadiri: I really like it here. My teammates, the coaching staff, the support staff—everyone is very open and welcoming. The positive impression I got from our conversations has definitely been confirmed since I signed. The first few friendlies went quite well, too, and naturally, I want to help the team with my game.

This is your first stint abroad. What does that mean for you?

Germany and the Netherlands are quite similar. It would probably have been a bigger adjustment if I’d moved to Italy or Spain. Of course, the language is different, but I already understand a few words and want to improve quickly.

Do you have a favourite word yet?

Not a favourite word, but „Auf geht’s!“, „Wie geht’s!“, and „Schnitzel“ come to mind immediately. (laughs)

What about the football terminology used on the pitch?

Some words are similar to Dutch, so I understand quite a bit, but the coach also speaks English frequently or explains things using gestures. I can grasp what he wants.

In the matches played so far, you’ve already demonstrated much of what was highlighted when you were signed—particularly your dribbling ability. Where does that quality come from?

I’ve always loved taking players on with the ball ever since I was a child. I used to play on the street a lot, on small, informal pitches. That ability is simply part of who I am; it’s not going anywhere. (grins)

In Germany, there’s a term for that: „street footballer“…

I know exactly what that means. I think it’s fair to say I fall into that category.

It’s also noticeable that you have tremendous stamina. Do you simply enjoy running?

(laughs) That was the case back in my childhood, too. I’ve always had good stamina and the ability to run a lot. That said, some of the sessions during this pre-season are obviously still tough for me.

You came through the youth ranks at Ajax Amsterdam. How valuable has that experience been?

It’s arguably the best training a player can get in the Netherlands. It’s a big club with many excellent coaches, and I really benefited from that time. The academy focused on various aspects; the technical and tactical grounding I received during those years has been a huge help in my career.

It’s also striking—and unusual—that there was a period during your youth when you weren’t playing for a club at all. Why was that, and did you ever consider quitting?

That’s true; I was without a club for a few months because there were family matters at the time that took precedence. But I never wanted to quit. I kept training on my own, though. That period helped me mentally, and here I am today—so it all worked out well.

What differences do you notice between Darmstadt and your previous clubs in the Netherlands?

The training intensity is higher here, and the game is more physical. I was really impressed when I first saw guys like Paddy, Matej, and Vuko. I didn’t play alongside such big, powerful guys in the Netherlands. (laughs) But I enjoy having to adapt to that side of things a bit.

How do you view the current training camp?

It’s good to spend so much time together. The team is very focused, and the training is really intense. And, of course, this week is helping me integrate better. I’m having lots of conversations and learning a lot about my teammates. On the pitch, we’re internalising more and more routines; the past few days have been really good.

You hold both Dutch and Moroccan citizenship. The classic question is: which country do you feel a stronger connection to?

I have two hearts beating in my chest, and I’m very happy that I can identify with both countries.

The two teams faced each other at the World Cup…

I just hoped the better team would win. It was a good match; I enjoyed watching it.

The season kicks off in two and a half weeks. How excited are you?

Huge. I want to give it my all and help the team—with dribbling, goals, and assists. It’s the best feeling to finally start competitive play after the pre-season. I’m also looking forward to the atmosphere in the stadium, which so many people have told me about.