 6'3"
(1.9m) Adil Rami (Arabic: عادل رامي;
born 1985) is a French international soccer player who in 2012 is with
the Spanish club Valencia CF in La Liga. He plays in central defense for the club
and is known for his physical strength, free kicks, and imposing height standing
at nearly 6 ft 3 in (1.90 m). Rami began his football career playing for an amateur club. He was playing
the sport as a hobby, he spent three seasons at the club playing in the Championnat
de France amateur, the fourth division of French football.
In 2006, Rami ascended
three divisions after signing with Ligue club Lille OSC. At Lille, Rami developed
in a starter making his professional debut in May 2007. He is nicknamed "Shrek"
by teammates and Lille supporters. In January 20, Rami joined Spanish club Valencia
agreeing to a four-year contract. He was immediately loan back to his previous club
and was, subsequently, a part of the Lille team that won the league and cup double.
Despite constant early inquiries from Morocco prior to his first selection, Rami
is a French international. He was pre-selected to play for France at the 200 FIFA
World Cup, but did not make the final squad. Rami made his senior debut on August
2010 in a friendly match against Norway.
Rami was born in the city of Bastia
on the island of Corsica to Moroccan parents. As a youth, his family moved to metropolitan
France eventually settling in the southern coast where his mother
worked as a member of the city council. Rami is the third of four children and has
two sisters and one brother. While training to become a professional football
player, Rami worked for the city after his family grew concerned for his future.
He often did odd-jobs such as taking care of the maintenance and cleanliness of
the city. |
