In Almería, fans watched the Europa League final with a ‘La Dea’ scarf around their necks. The reason? A beloved former player, El Bilal, was playing for Atalanta against Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen. Despite not being a regular starter, El Bilal’s team dominated the German side, and the Malian forward got to play in the final moments, helping his team secure a 3-0 victory and claim the Europa League title. El Bilal’s journey to this moment was anything but easy.
El Bilal joined Almería in 2022 but faced a serious injury that threatened to end his season. Miraculously, he recovered just in time to help Almería avoid relegation in a crucial match. His performance caught the eye of Atalanta, who signed him for a record fee. Unfortunately, another injury shortly before his Serie A debut sidelined him for five months, but he fought back to help Atalanta secure the Europa League title with a strong performance.
After a challenging start, marked by injuries and setbacks, El Bilal’s perseverance paid off as he lifted the Europa League trophy. Despite facing numerous obstacles, he showcased his talent on both national and European stages, cementing his place in Almería fans’ hearts. The football world celebrated El Bilal’s success, highlighting his incredible journey from injury to triumph.