As of today, the square in Amsterdam Geuzenveld, where Abdelhak Nouri always played football, is officially called the A. Nouri square. ‘Appie’ suffered serious and permanent brain damage in 2017 after a cardiac arrest during a practice match with Ajax. According to his father and brother, the situation is now stable: “He hears and understands everything.”
Nouri is also aware of the change of name of the square where he sometimes dribbled around all day as a child, says his father. “Yesterday I told him what was going to happen today. Later tonight we will tell him what we have made with this.”
Because Nouri hears and understands everything, assures his brother. “We include him in our conversations, keep him informed. This means a lot to him.”
‘Play together’
Many people came to the A. Nouri square today, such as Ajax fans and children who live nearby. Mayor Femke Halsema was also present: “The Nouri family has an important role in this neighborhood. They connect a lot of people with each other; everyone knows them. I hope that this square will be used the way the family wants it. To play together, to play sports and to make new friends.”
According to his brother, Nouri, who now lives at home with his parents, will watch everything tonight. “If all goes well, a summary will be made of this day. We will look at that with him. We do that more often with him: we watch competitions with him, we involve him when we are eating. to take us.”