Al Ain stars take their message to the classroom

By James Mercer • 6 October 2026, 19:26 • Updated: 6 October 2026, 20:30 • 3 mins read

Matias Palacios, Yahya bin Khalik and Hussein Rahimi visited Al Ain American School for World Teachers' Day. They shared stories from their careers and urged pupils to balance sport with study and steady effort.

Pupils at Al Ain American School asked three first-team players about childhood ambitions, pressure before matches and life in professional football. Matias Palacios, Yahya bin Khalik and Hussein Rahimi visited the school for World Teachers' Day.

Players answer pupils' questions

The players joined pupils in classrooms and talked about their route into professional football and the club's supporters. Students welcomed them in a school decorated in purple, with Al Ain colours and balloons. Students had plenty to ask.

Sheikh Zayed founded Al Nahyan Primary School in Al Ain using his own funds, a historical link between the city and education highlighted in a World Teachers' Day video.

Khaleej Times

The visit was more than a photo opportunity. World Teachers' Day is marked each year on 5 October. The 2026 observance also drew wider attention to educators' role in the UAE.

WAM reported that Education Minister Sara Al Amiri called teachers key partners in sustainable development and in shaping generations. The National reported that President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed thanked teachers on 5 October and spoke about their lasting impact on students.

Yahya bin Khalik urged pupils to take their studies seriously, believe in themselves and work hard toward their goals. Hussein Rahimi recalled his early love of football. He said he turns pre-match tension into energy and focus.

Palacios spoke about his family's influence. His father played football and now works in coaching. Palacios said coaching was a path he might have chosen if he had not become a professional player.

Education remains part of the sporting pathway

The players said ability alone is not enough to build a career. They linked study, discipline and persistence in the classroom with the demands of pursuing a sporting ambition. They also thanked Al Ain supporters for backing the team inside and outside the stadium.

On 5 October 2026, Emirates College for Advanced Education held the fourth Education First Forum at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. The forum focused on teachers' role in developing the education ecosystem.

Abu Dhabi Media Office

School sport also has organised competitions. The UAE School Games programme is one example. Al Ain's visit, by contrast, brought professional players face to face with pupils.

Teachers thanked the club and its players for spending time with students. The programme ended with commemorative photographs. The advice behind those images gave the visit its lasting value: clubs can make their community role tangible when players encourage young fans to value education, effort and realistic ambition.

Topics: #Players & Athletes #Al Ain FC

UAE CUE Sports Desk

James Mercer

James Mercer is the Founder, Owner, Publisher and Managing Director of UAE CUE Sports, where he oversees editorial direction and the publication's development across the Emirates. He writes about UAE sport, sports media, major events, venues, sports business and the wider relationship between participation, audiences and the country's sporting industry.