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Former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) ace Julian Draxler has made headlines for a bizarre decision during his new side Al Ahli's recent Qatar Stars League game. The German midfielder was seen leaving the pitch via the sideline while the match was still on, leaving his team with only ten players.
Draxler left PSG for Qatari outfit Al Ahli this summer after a disappointing end to his spell at the French club. He spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Portuguese outfit Benfica, where he scored two goals in 18 appearances across competitions.
Julian Draxler featured for Al Ahli in their league match against Qatar SC at the weekend. The Germany international started the game from the bench before he was brought on at half-time.
Draxler made an instant impact on proceedings as he helped Al Ahli, who were three goals down by the hour-mark, to come back to 3-2. He scored in the 62nd and 66th minutes to reduce the deficit to just one in impressive fashion.
With the match in its closing stages, Qatar SC midfielder Raoul Sanda scored his second of the game and his side's fourth to secure a 4-2 win. Just before the end of the match, however, Draxler left the pitch via the sideline, immediately heading down the tunnel.
Draxler did not look hurt or injured as he walked off the pitch, neither did he look to be in any discomfort. There has been no explanation for his behaviour from him or his club.
Former PSG star Julian Draxler getting used to life in Qatar
Julian Draxler, along with a number of other players such as Georginio Wijnaldum and Abdou Diallo, was left out of PSG training earlier this summer as the French club made it clear that it did not plan to count on any of them this season.
Draxler has since secured a move to Qatar, immediately showing his quality in a new league. The 30-year-old has signed a two-year contract with Al Ahli, where he has hit the ground running with two goals and two assists in three appearances.
A FIFA World Cup winner with Germany in 2014, Draxler said that the hunger for a new experience drove him to Qatar. He also hinted that the financial benefits involved in the move also played a role in the transfer.
