Born in France to Tunisian parents, Hatem Ben Arfa remains extremely attached to his roots.

Hatem Ben Arfa was born in March 1987 in Clamart, near Paris, to a family of Tunisian descent. It was with his brother Lofti that he would first start to play football. Playing the Champions Trophy match on the soil of his ancestors is something quite special. “It’s very special for me. I have a lot of friends and family in Tunisia. I’m attached to this country and come here very often. I’m happy to be spending two days in Tunisia and to play in the magnificent stadium at Radés. I can’t wait to soak up the atmosphere”.
The OM midfielder could have worn the jersey of Tunisia, in 2006, Roger Lemerre, the French manager of the Eagles of Carthage, offered him the chance to integrate the squad for the World Cup in Germany. But, the OL (at the time) player refused, preferring to concentrate on France with whom he had become u17’s European champions in 2004.

Even if he has already won the Champions Trophy on three occasions, Hatem Ben Arfa seems to be very motivated at the idea of taking a fourth trophy. “It’s a title, even if it isn’t the same as a league or a cup win, but it is still a trophy, another honour to be won. On top of that it is a big match this season, Marseille against Paris is always heavily mediatised. I hope that we will win, we are competitors and we want this trophy. I want to win this match”.
On Wednesday he will be able to count on the support of his numerous friends and family present in the stands at the November 7th Stadium of Radés. “I ordered tonnes of tickets, there will be a lot of people there to see me play. People are happy that I am coming and that makes me happy as well”. But, the midfielder isn’t putting any extra pressure on himself. He knows the most important is what the OM squad will go through over the course of the season. “It’s a trophy but it is also a pre-season preparation match. All the teams in the division will be playing friendly matches on Tuesday. If we had to choose, it would be to be ready for the start of the league campaign, not the Champions Trophy”.