Absolute Stunners Player Profile: SAMIR NASRI

Absolute Stunners Player Profile: Samir Nasri (France, Arsenal)

Quick Facts:

Birthday: June 26, 1987
Position: Attacking midfielder
Clubs: Olympique de Marseille (2000-2008), Arsenal (2008- )
Accolades: Winner of UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2005 (Olympique de Marseille), French League Young Player of the Year in 2007 (Olympique de Marseille), Runner-up of Coupe de France in 2006 (Olympique de Marseille), Runner-up of Coupe de France in 2007 (Olympique de Marseille),Winner of the UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship in 2004 (France national football team), Marseille's player of the year, as voted on by the fans in 2007


The Marseille-born Nasri has earned spectacular comparisons to Zidane The Great not only because of his Algerian heritage and the fact that both grew up in the French port city, but also, and indeed more importantly, because of his exciting and skillful play for l’OM and France. To any young French player, even being mentioned in the same sentence as Zidane would seem a miracle, but the future of French football hasn’t let the hype get to his head. Nasri displays composure that belies his age both on and off the field, in stark contrast to the Cristiano Ronaldo of a few years ago.

Perhaps the finest attributes of Nasri’s game are his impeccable vision and accurate passing, allowing him to lead the attack in the most fluent and efficient manner. Constantly involved, Nasri can easily change the course of a match with a deft flick, pinpoint throughball, or sumptuous longball cross-field a la Gerrard/Alonso. Nasri also possesses absurdly sweet touch on the ball and the balance of a tightrope walker (see posted video below). That Nasri’s compatriot Arsene Wenger has (or will soon) snatched up the Kabyle field marshall from his boyhood club only supports the general consensus on the still-developing zoobers*.


*zoobers (pronounced ZOO-berz): an extremely cute individual