More Than A Film: Team Afghanistan - Zaker Hussain Yosufi
|Zaker Hussain Yosufi was one of the former Homeless World Cup players in The Beautiful Game
Image: Rebecca Corbett
More than a Film: This series explores the real players and management teams at the heart of The Homeless World Cup, the tournament is the inspiration for the feature film, The Beautiful Game
It’s hard to meet Zaker Hussain Yosufi and not notice his contagious smile.
The beaming goalkeeper is proud to be part of the Afghanistan team in Netflix film The Beautiful Game.
Having moved to Iran when he was five and now living in Austria, Zaker is a global citizen. But when asked what country he calls home he holds his hand to his chest, where the Afghan flag sits.
He made the dangerous journey to Austria in 2012 as a refugee: “I did not want to be in this situation because I left my family and my story behind. I left all the things and I came to another country and was starting from zero.”
Being on the film set in Rome, we joke that now he’s a film star! His face lights up as he laughs: “I’m the main man of the movie, no that’s not true, I’m only kidding!”
“The first time I was sitting here I was so excited, right now I am speechless. I am so happy to be here, to see the famous faces and talented people working together. Actually, I would like to be a cameraman – or any of the jobs working here!”
With his beaming smile, it’s easy to forget how much he has been through. Since arriving in Austria in 2012, he hasn’t seen his family.
“I left my family and my story behind”
“It’s hard, I haven’t seen my family in nine years. That was the situation, I must leave them.”
Speaking about his younger brother who is still in Iran, he has one wish: “To be together.”
He also longs for global security: “I hope that every country can be safe. That politicians will do their job well, giving people more options and opportunities. Doing their job and doing the best for the people who are living in the country. So, people can feel good in their own home, not as a refugee in another country.”
Zaker is determined not to be defined by his struggles, instead his main aim is to encourage people to keep going, whatever happens to them.
“I want to give people motivation; it’s caused me a lot of hurt but I’m not going to show people so they feel bad. I want everyone to be smiling and be happy. Not have any bad moments if I talk to them. That’s my goal.”
“The falling down is not bad, it’s the standing up, the not giving up that is great. I am not saying I am the best man. I never give up. I try everything. I want to enjoy my life, so every day and every single moment of my life.”
Zaker is happiest and most positive on the pitch, with a ball at his feet.
“Football for me is everything”
|Zaker at the opening parade at the Homeless World Cup in Cardiff in 2019. Image: Mile44
“Football is my life. Football for me is everything. It removes any negative energy and gives me motivation and helps me with my problems.”
He is as flexible on the pitch as he is in daily life, happily switching from his role in the net to playing outfield. At the 2019 Homeless World Cup in Cardiff, where he played for Austria, he played all over the pitch. Whereas growing up in Iran he was always the goalkeeper, a positive force giving the team confidence as they played out field.
“It was a great moment to be in Cardiff, we had so much fun, we played together, we talked together in the evening. Having all the teams together it was great. I was so excited.”
“I met a lot of different people who had a lot of problems in their lives and met some really talented footballers. I learnt a lot and I left with a lot of motivation to do a lot of things in my country and in my life.”
His excitement, like his positive outlook and smile, is contagious. And he hopes it will inspire the audience watching the film too.
“I want to say to the people who are watching this movie: never give up - and enjoy every moment in their life. It’s never happening again.”
Our partner in Austria is Homeless World Cup Austria, find out more about their work and how they’re supporting people like Zaker Hussain Yosufi.
Austria have been a Homeless World Cup member country since the inaugural Homeless World Cup in Graz in 2003.
Words: Rebecca Corbett