2020 has been a rollercoaster for all of us, but Mustafa Amini has been through more than most. Becoming a dad in March, his father passed away weeks later. Now he's helped his club to their best finish in 23 years before departing on a free transfer

From Western Sydney to Europe: Mustafa Amini outlines Socceroos goals

Socceroos midfielder Mustafa Amini opens up on his European journey and how family helped shape his football career.

It has been a testing but rewarding couple of years for Mustafa Amini who departed Australia as an 18-year-old to link up with German powerhouse outfit Borussia Dortmund in 2011.

Amini caught the eye of Dortmund after a break out season with Central Coast Mariners in the A-League under current Socceroos coach Graham Arnold.

Amini spent three years fine-tuning his craft at the German giants before sealing a move to Danish outfit Randers FC in 2015.

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The Aussie midfielder spent a season at the club before moving to fierce rivals AGF Aarhus.

He was thrown right into the thick of it at AGF with the club languishing towards the bottom of the ladder throughout his first few seasons there.

“My first couple of years here, we had a relegation battle, and everything was on the line, so I have seen it all,” Amini told Socceroos.com.au.

Fast forward four years and Aarhus are celebrating their first top three finish since 1997 with the Socceroos midfielder at the centre of the celebrations.

Amini and fellow Aussie and AGF midfielder Zach Duncan were walking around Aarhus on the day that their side sealed their top three finish with injury ruling them out of selection for their match at FC Kobenhavn in the Danish capital.

A 4-2 victory against the men from the capital ensured a top three finish for AGF which led to the supporters going into party mode as Amini and Duncan joined in with the celebrations in the city centre.

“When we ended up winning there were fireworks, everyone was running around in the streets,” Amini said.

“Zach and I decided to join in, I just had my phone recording and had my hoodie on at that time, Zach said ‘take my hoody off’, and I did and that was it after that.

“Everyone saw me, and they went crazy, so I went crowd surfing for the first time which was quite special while it was just amazing to feel the love from the fans and see what it meant for them and the club.”

His achievements with his beloved Aarhus are a far cry from the fields of Western Sydney where he began his junior career.

“A boy from Western Sydney moving overseas, it wasn’t always easy, I was in Germany alone and then Denmark,” Amini said.

“Nine years away from Australia, it’s all tough but you know at the end of the day when moments like these happen, it’s worth it.

“It’s football and that’s great, it’s an amazing thing.”

Mustafa Amini
Amini and Aubameyang while at Borussia Dortmund

A next chapter awaits Amini after his Aarhus contract came to an end following their final match of the season last Monday morning.

“At the moment with COVID, it’s quite tough for clubs and I think for players coming off contract as well,” he said.

“I’m not really sure where the next journey is going to be, but hopefully soon I’ll find out and the next journey will start.

“For now, I’ll end this journey on a high and make sure I say goodbye to the fans and I’m pretty sure they’ll miss me as much as I miss them.

Mustafa Amini


“I’ve been at Aarhus for four years and Denmark for five years, so it’s such a big part of my life.

“My daughter was born here in Aarhus so one day we’ll be back for sure.”

Moving forward, the Sydney born midfielder would like to build upon his career and become a regular starter for whichever side he lands himself at next.

“My goals for my career is to just play regular football. Wherever I end up I hope to be playing regularly – hopefully at a high level,” Amini said.

“That comes with a national team aspect too, I want to play at a World Cup, it’s always been a dream of mine.”

Mustafa Amini
Amini in action for the Socceroos

Everything that he has achieved throughout his career wouldn’t have been possible if it were not for the support of his parents.

The recent loss of his father rocked his world but the values and memories that they shared together won’t be forgotten any time soon.

“He did come to Aarhus and that was quite nice, and he saw how I live, and we were walking around the city and a lot of people were saying ‘Hey Amini’ and those kind of things,” he reflected.

“He looked at me and he always told me that he was proud of me.

“That was quite nice to have your dad proud of you.”