Abdelhak Nouri was a real connector and an example for other football players, says Jolanda Hogewind – chairman of the Nouri Foundation – on the website of the Heart Foundation. Hogewind and Abderrahim Nouri, Abdelhak’s eldest brother, talk about it through beautiful stories Appie.
As a little boy, Nouri was quickly scouted by Ajax. At the Amsterdam club he stood out because of his talent, but also because of his character, says Hogewind. ‘When the Ajax youth played against Feyenoord, Abdelhak shook hands with the parents of the Ajax players and the parents of Feyenoord. He always sought connections. An example for other players,” says the chairman of the Nouri Foundation.
In the past, Hogewind was the school director of Calvijn College, Nouri’s old school. According to her, she knew Appie always inspire other students. ‘For example, there was a group at our school that combined studies and Ajax. When a new class arrived, Abdelhak gave a talk as an ambassador of the school. The message of his story was always: “A good football player is also a good person. And a good person has a better chance of becoming a good football player. So be good to your fellow man.” Beautiful, isn’t it?’
‘Appie absolutely did not want to drive in Ajax’s Mercedes’
Abderrahim says that his brother always remained modest, despite his great popularity. ‘When he played in the first team of Ajax, he received a Mercedes from the club. But he definitely didn’t want to drive this,” says the eldest brother Appie. Abderrahim also says that Nouri visited an Ajax fan in the hospital several times, who had had a motorcycle accident. ‘In the rehabilitation clinic, Abdelhak ended up lying next to the same boy. His mother became very emotional when she saw my brother. We didn’t understand it until she told this story. A goosebump moment.’
Finally, Hogewind once again tells a story that characterizes Nouri’s character. As director of Calvin College, she saw how Appie played a special role at that school. This was confirmed after the terrible event in 2017. ‘Then we heard, for example, that he had given the wife of the recently deceased caretaker an envelope with money. She was 8 months pregnant and found herself alone with 3 children. No one knew that he had helped her, and he didn’t want that either,” says Hogewind.
Abdelhak Nouri: A Heart of Gold and a Talent to Match
What if I told you that football isn’t just about kicking a ball and prancing around like a peacock in shorts? No, my friends, it’s also about character and class – just ask Abdelhak Nouri. This astonishing young man wasn’t just a prospect from Ajax; he was a shining beacon of humility who turned heads for all the right reasons. Jolanda Hogewind, the chairperson of the Nouri Foundation, shared some uplifting anecdotes about young Appie that could make even the most cynical sports fan shed a tear.
A True Connector
Imagine a young boy on the pitch, effortlessly juggling a ball while shaking hands with both the Ajax and Feyenoord parents, giving everyone that awkward mix of ‘I’m thrilled to be here!’ and ‘Are we supposed to hate each other?’ That’s Nouri for you, representing the true spirit of sportsmanship. He’s the guy who’d invite the rival team over for tea after the match – very British, I know, but you get the point! He wasn’t just playing football; he was building a bridge. A lovely metaphorical bridge that probably didn’t have the tolls you see in Amsterdam.
The Right Kind of Role Model
Jolanda reminisces about the days when Nouri would step into Calvijn College, and oh boy, did he step in with purpose! As an ambassador, he had this unique knack for motivating students. Picture it: a class full of teenagers more interested in their phones than their futures. In waltzes Appie (well, maybe not literally waltzing), sharing wisdom like a sage from the realms of perception. “A good football player is also a good person!” Enlightening, isn’t it? Perhaps he’s the reason we need more educational institutions to offer a sports management course paired with ‘How Not to Be a Jerk 101’.
Modesty in a Mercedes
Now let’s talk about gifts. Upon joining Ajax’s first team, Nouri received a shiny Mercedes – I mean, they don’t do it shabby, do they? But here comes the kicker: he rejected it! Perhaps he was worried about damaging the spirit of modesty. After all, nothing says ‘I’m humble’ quite like turning down a sweet ride. Instead, he chose to connect with fans on a grassroots level – even visiting an Ajax fan in hospital! I wonder how many footballers would do the same while having their own fan club waiting outside with banners saying ‘We Love Nouri’?
A Heart That Makes Us Proud
The story that stands out the most, however, is one that reflects the pure essence of Nouri’s heart. When disaster struck in 2017, he was there, quietly helping the widow of a caretaker in need. Imagine being eight months pregnant with three children and suddenly finding out your partner is gone. Nouri showed up with support, no fanfare, just pure humanity. I mean, give this guy a medal or at least send him a ‘You’re fantastic!’ card; God knows that’s in short supply these days. It’s moments like these that remind us of what sports and life should really be about.
The Legacy of Appie
So, what’s left behind after all is said and done? While Nouri may have left the pitch too soon, his legacy as a connector, a role model, and an example of true sportsmanship will certainly live on. If only every footballer had a fraction of his heart and spirit, perhaps the world would be a better place—one handshaking rivalry at a time. In a world often overshadowed by ego and controversy, Abdelhak Nouri shines like a guiding star, reminding us that being good is just as vital as scoring goals. Remember, folks: keep those connections strong, and don’t forget to be a decent human being while you’re at it!
Abdelhak Nouri is remembered as a genuine connector and an exemplary figure for aspiring footballers, asserts Jolanda Hogewind, the chairman of the Nouri Foundation, in an interview featured on the Heart Foundation. During this poignant conversation, both Hogewind and Abderrahim Nouri, Abdelhak’s eldest brother, reflect on touching anecdotes that highlight the spirit of Appie.
Nouri’s journey with football began at a young age when he was quickly scouted by Ajax. His undeniable talent was complemented by his remarkable character, as noted by Hogewind. ‘During an intense youth match against Feyenoord, Abdelhak took the time to shake hands with not only the parents of his Ajax teammates but also those of the opposition. His proactive approach to creating connections made him an example for others on and off the field,’ she explains.
Hogewind, who previously served as the director of Calvijn College, where Nouri studied, emphasizes how Appie inspired his classmates. ‘There was an initiative at our school merging academics with Ajax training. Every time a new class would enroll, Abdelhak would step up as an ambassador, sharing his journey. His core message resonated powerfully: “A good football player is also a good person. And a good person invariably has a better chance of becoming a good football player. So always treat others with kindness.” It’s a beautiful philosophy, isn’t it?’
‘Appie absolutely did not want to drive in Ajax’s Mercedes’
Abderrahim recounts that despite his high profile, his brother embodied humility. ‘While representing Ajax’s first team, he was gifted a flashy Mercedes by the club, but he adamantly refused to accept it,’ he shares. Furthermore, Abderrahim recalls a touching episode where Nouri made multiple visits to an Ajax supporter in the hospital following a serious motorcycle accident. ‘In the rehabilitation clinic, Abdelhak found himself lying next to the same boy. The boy’s mother was overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing him. We didn’t grasp the significance of the moment until she recounted her story to us. It was truly a goosebump-inducing experience.’
In a final testament to Nouri’s generous spirit, Hogewind recounts an incident that underscored his character. During her tenure as director of Calvijn College, she witnessed firsthand the profound impact he had on the school community. This became even more evident following the tragic events of 2017, when it was revealed that he had discreetly provided financial assistance to the widow of a recently deceased caretaker. She was eight months pregnant and was left to care for three young children. No one knew of Abdelhak’s benevolence, and that was how he wanted it,’ recalls Hogewind.
