Ali Al-Hamadi, Ipswich Town’s striker, shared that he endured significant pain to aid Kieran McKenna’s team in securing automatic promotion to the Premier League. Despite playing through the discomfort, he deemed it worthwhile. Following a successful adductor operation, which he had been managing towards the end of the season, the 22-year-old confirmed his commitment on social media. This commitment led him to decline participation in his national team’s fixtures in March. Despite this, he remained a valuable asset for Ipswich Town, making 13 appearances off the bench and starting in a crucial match against Middlesbrough on April 13 when the team faced limitations in their forward-line options.
Despite not being included in the squad for the final two matches, Al-Hamadi concluded the season with three goals and one assist in 13 Sky Bet Championship appearances, with only one start.
Posting on his X (formerly Twitter) account, the player who grew up in Liverpool after being born in Iraq, wrote: “These last few months of the season have been really gruelling for me mentally and physically.
“(I’ve) Been playing through a lot of pain to help out my team-mates, fans and staff achieve our goal. (It was) Worth every single minute of it in the end.
Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), the operation was successful.
“Thanks to Dr Ernest Schilders and his team for doing an amazing job.
