Human Rights Day: How football helped defy the odds
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
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We tell the remarkable story of Malmö FF's Taha Ali, whose journey from a refugee family in Sweden to one of Europe's most prestigious club competitions demonstrates the power of football in overcoming adversity.
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Malmö FF may have started their 2024/2025 UEFA Europa League campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Rangers, but for Taha Ali, the match marked the fulfilment of a long-held dream.
Ali was brought on for a 21-minute cameo and has since featured in all but one of his team's league phase matches in the competition.
Domestically, the 26-year-old was recently instrumental in helping Malmö secure back-to-back Allsvenskan titles, contributing a goal and an assist in the decisive match against IFK Göteborg in October.
Ali has achieved his "ultimate goal" of playing in both the Allsvenskan and Europe, but he had to overcome a challenging start in life to get there.
Overcoming adversity
Born in Stockholm to Somali parents fleeing the devastation of war, Ali grew up in Tensta, a district he describes as a "tough neighbourhood where not everybody stays on the straight and narrow."
His parents' decision to seek refuge in Sweden was driven by a desire to give their children a better future.
"They came here to give us good opportunities to succeed in life," Ali explains. "To become good people, to give us a good life. I’m very grateful for that. They didn’t want their children to go through what they went through."
Despite the challenge of growing up in a tough neighbourhood, Ali credits his supportive family and love for football with keeping him on the right track.
"My family gave me everything I needed to succeed," he says. "They were there every step of the way. I’ve had siblings who helped me stay on the right path. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for them."
"Football kept me out of trouble. It gave me joy, a job, friends, and discipline."
A role model in Sweden and beyond
Now an established player at Malmö FF, Ali’s journey has made him a source of inspiration for people in both Sweden and Somalia.
"I’m a proud Swedish-Somali," he says. "It feels incredible when I play for Malmö and people in Somalia are following my career. It makes them proud and shows them they can achieve something positive too.
"I don’t like calling myself a role model, but I strive to be one. I never take it for granted. Every day, I try to lead by example and show that success is possible, even if the road is difficult."
UEFA support for refugees
As part of the UEFA Football Sustainability Strategy 2030, we support refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people to remain physically and mentally healthy and be included in their host community through football.
Our football activities for refugees include the Unity EURO Cup, launched with support from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in 2022, and the UEFA Refugee Grant Programme.