Ghana-born Qatar international footballer Mohammed Muntari has opened up on his decision to represent the Gulf nation ahead of his country of birth.
The 28-year-old striker ruled out financial motivation as the reason for switching his international allegiance from Ghana to Qatar.
Muntari was born and bred in Kumasi before moving to the Arabian country in 2012 when he was 19. He naturalized to represent the Qatari national team four years later.
Muntari started Qatar adventure from the U23 level before graduating to the senior team, where he has made 43 appearances and scored 12 goals in the process.
“It was never financial [switching to Qatar]. We play football firstly because we love football and we want to take care of the people we want to take care of,” Muntari told TV3
“I wouldn’t say it was financially [motivated] because, at the end of the day, I could have been playing for Ghana and still be earning much.”
Muntari moved from Golden Lions Soccer Academy to join El Jaish in July 2012 before signing for Al Duhail SC three years later.
After spending two years at Al Duhail, he joined Al Ahli Doha in November 2017 on a season-long loan deal.
Muntari made a permanent switch to Al Ahli in August 2018 on a free transfer but returned Al Duhail in February 2019.
Muntari won the Qatari championship in both 2017 and 2020. He has also won the Emir Cup and the Qatar Super Cup.
He is expected to be included in Qatar’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup later this year.
