Ali Jasim's brother reveals the secret behind Como's failed Italian trial

Iraq national team star Ali Jasim's professional file continues to spark widespread debate in local sports circles after his return to the Iraq Stars League with Zakho, following a brief professional stint with Italian club Como. He had previously joined Como in the summer of 2024 from Al-Kahrbaa in a historic transfer, becoming the first Iraqi player to move directly from the local league to Serie A.

Technical information revealed that Zakho have successfully finalized the contract with the 22-year-old forward on a two-year deal, as the Iraqi club's management purchased the player's full rights from Como for a fee of around $650,000.

The financial details of the player's contract revealed that Ali Jasim earns an annual salary estimated at one million dollars, bringing the total value of his deal over two years to two million dollars. The player preferred to return to local competitions in search of mental and technical stability after multiple stints that saw him move between several clubs.

Abbas Jasim, the brother of the player, made candid media statements revealing the real reasons behind not continuing in Europe, explaining that any football player in the world needs to be continuously present in official matches to maintain their physical and technical readiness. He pointed out that sitting on the bench negatively affects performance, which has gradually reflected on his brother.

Abbas Jasim challenges any player currently active in the local league to impose themselves in Serie A at this time due to the vast tactical differences and the speed of ball movement and coordination of play there compared to Iraqi football, affirming that the two environments differ completely in terms of strength and readiness.

Ali was unable to secure a place in the starting lineup for Como under Spanish coach Cesc Fàbregas, despite the latter holding great appreciation for his abilities. However, Ali's desire for continuous participation to ensure his readiness with the national team led to subsequent steps towards a loan and transfers that included Almere City and Al-Najma, before ultimately settling with his contract being permanently purchased by the management of Zakho.

The numbers for the 2026-2027 season highlight that Ali Jasim has played 7 matches so far for Zakho out of 11 matches held in the Iraq Stars League, during which he has only provided one assist without managing to find the net. This indicates that the international star has not yet regained his full fitness and usual touches.

Close sources have confirmed that the player is currently focusing on his training and improving his level to help Zakho overcome recent fluctuations in results, trying to meet the aspirations of the club's supporters and the Iraqi fans who expect him to deliver his best and compete strongly for the top positions.

These behind-the-scenes insights and figures put Ali Jasim in front of a real test to rediscover himself and prove that his return to the domestic league is merely a stop to regain his scoring and physical brilliance.