Schalker International: Abdelâli Samadi

How did you become a Schalke fan?
I became a Schalke fan in 2020. I was following the Bundesliga last year and I liked Schalke’s performance very much and I felt that Schalke was different from other teams and that’s why I decided to research the history of the club and get to know it more and I’ve loved the club since then.

What’s supporting Schalke in Morocco like?
Supporting Schalke in Morocco is very special, and it is not easy. There are many difficulties and challenges, perhaps the biggest one is the lack of coverage of the Bundesliga. The league matches are not broadcast on TV, and I think that there are very few Schalke fans here. People are often shocked when I tell them that Schalke is my favourite team in Europe because most Moroccans and my friends support big teams like Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Bayern Munich etc.

Have you ever been to Germany or watched a Schalke game live?
Unfortunately, I’ve never been to Germany or watched a Schalke match at the stadium, but I hope one day I will be able to visit Germany, Gelsenkirchen and the VELTINS-Arena and watch a match.

Who is your favourite Schalke player of all time?
I love all Schalke players but if I have to choose a player I would choose Raúl. He was a great striker and I’d like him to become our coach one day.

What is your most memorable Schalke match?
For me the most unforgettable match is our match against Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 in 2015, which ended 4-3 in our favour. It was a great match even though we didn’t qualify for the quarterfinals of the competition. Another one would be our 4-4 draw against Dortmund in the Bundesliga in 2017.

Finally, why would you recommend supporting Schalke?
Because Schalke is a team that respects its fans and makes them feel that they belong to the club. It’s like one big unit. Schalke are also a club with a great history. It’s a unique team across Europe and Germany and there is often plenty of optimism even in bad times. The club’s culture is special and unique, which makes Schalke one of the best clubs in Germany.