According to Mundo Deportivo, Iraqi midfielder Zidane Iqbal has stated that he models his game on Thiago Alcântara and Frenkie de Jong.

Zidane Iqbal from the Iraqi national team, when answering a question from reporter Olajide, said: "My favorite player has always been Zidane, and that's because of my father. I often watched him play when I was young, and we share the same name."

However, the players who inspired him as he grew up came from Barcelona. Iqbal explained: "I used to watch Thiago play at Liverpool, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich. He's an excellent player, and I try to base my game on his style. Now, Frenkie de Jong is an outstanding player. There are many great players, but I am myself, and I can do many things differently. You can always try to imitate someone, but the best version is being yourself."

The Iraqi midfielder, who qualified for the FIFA World Cup, added: "I try to model my game on de Jong, but I also try to incorporate what I can do on my own."

Zidane Iqbal has diverse influences and a rich heritage. He was born and raised in Manchester to a Pakistani father and Iraqi mother. According to Al Jazeera reporter Abid Hussain, the midfielder not only participated in Iraq's historic return to the FIFA World Cup after 40 years, but also became the first player of Pakistani descent to compete in the FIFA World Cup. Pakistan has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

Iqbal signed his first professional contract with Manchester United in 2021 at age 18 while still in the academy of the English club. That same year, he made his Champions League debut for Manchester United. In 2023, he joined Utrecht.

Now just 23 years old, Iqbal possesses the talent that makes him unique among football's rising stars. He is a beacon of hope for this Iraqi team, with many more chapters yet to be written. He plays beautifully and knows how to learn from great midfielders. Iqbal is the "Iraqi Zidane" who models his game on Thiago Alcântara and Frenkie de Jong.

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