Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Friday, November 28, 2025, 9:41 p.m. / Updated Friday, November 28, 2025, 9:50 p.m.
Former PSG star and 2014 World Cup winner with Germany Julian Draxler has opened up on QSL Chats about his reasons for leaving European football and building a new life in Qatar.
The midfielder says he's tired of the pressure, exposure and suffocating attention in Paris, and the move to Al Ahli has completely changed his routine.
Julian Draxler fed up with France and explains quiet life in Qatar: 'It's just me, my wife and kids here'
Draxler says that he knew Qatar from the time of PSG, when he came to training camps, but living there is completely different:
“Now I am a father, my children are here, my wife is here and we really like our life. I was ready for it, but until you get here, you don't know if you can really adapt. After two years I can say that I'm completely used to it.”
The pressure from Paris exhausted him:
“Since I started playing for Schalke at the age of 17, I have always been in the center of attention. I couldn't go out on the street without being recognized. I was being filmed and photographed without being asked“, the German confessed.
The peak of pressure came after the 2014 World Cup and the PSG period:
“In Paris I would pull my cap over my face and avoid people's eyes, just so I wouldn't stand out.”
In Qatar, the situation is completely different:
“I'm recognized much less here, and those who recognize me don't bother me when I'm eating with my family.”
The transfer to Al Ahli was not easy
The German admits that moving to another continent was not easy:
“I was nervous, I didn't know what to expect. But I'm very happy that it happened. I feel very good here, on and off the pitch.”
Al Ahli finished fourth last season and Draxler sees things realistically:
“All teams are getting stronger. If we want success, we have to be even better.”
Julian Draxler had only one personal goal
Draxler believes that last year was a crucial one on a personal level:
“I performed well, I didn't have any serious injuries and I was able to play almost all the matches. It was important for me to be in good shape.”
Quoted at 3.8 million euros by Transfermarkt, Julian Draxler plays in Qatar, at Al-Ahly, and in his career has also played at Schalke 04, Wolfsburg, PSG and Benfica. He has 58 selections for the national team.
