AFTER a turbulent spell playing in England, Hatem Ben Arfa looks as though he’s back to his mind-blowing best, playing with French club Nice.
Despite enjoying arguably the finest season of his career to date, scoring 17 goals and racking up six assists, the mercurial Frenchman was left out of Didier Deschamps’ final 23-man squad for the upcoming European Championships.
His exclusion, alongside Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, has sparked controversy across France after Eric Cantona suggested the snub could’ve been racially motivated – both Ben Arfa and Benzema are of North African descent.
Putting aside the off-pitch dramas that seem to follow Ben Arfa around, witnessing the tricky winger’s reemergence as one of the world’s most exciting players was a joy to behold this year.
WIZARDRY: Hatem Ben Arfa playing back at his best with French club Nice
The 29-year-old’s five year stint in the Premier League, playing for both Newcastle United and Hull City, was largely a disappointing affair.
But Ben Arfa’s consistent inconsistency was also punctuated by rare moments of incomprehensible brilliance – like this memorable effort against Bolton Wanderers during the 2011/12 season.
He was released by Newcastle in 2015, claiming he wanted to return home.
On his arrival, he said: “There are people here who trust me, who do not judge me as some people want to judge me through the press.”
He had to be patient to make his debut, after Fifa transfer guidelines prohibited the wing wizard from pulling on a Nice shirt until the beginning of this season.
Clearly it was worth the wait.
With the Parisian’s contract due to expire on July 30th this summer, rumours that Ben Arfa could be Barcelona-bound are gaining momentum.
And after a season like that, who could argue?
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