Ali Adem Musse (born 1 January 1996) is a Somali professional footballer who plays as a winger for Canadian Premier League club Cavalry FC and the Somalia national team.

Ali Musse
Player jogging during warm-up
Ali Musse with Cavalry in 2022
Personal information
Full name Ali Adem Musse
Date of birth (1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth Mogadishu, Somalia
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
Cavalry FC
Number 7
Youth career
2005 Earl Grey CC
2005–2009 Winnipeg South End United SC
2010–2011 WSA Winnipeg
2011 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2014–2015 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015 Tyler Apaches 17 (10)
2017 NAIT Ooks 9 (8)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 WSA Winnipeg 39 (10)
2014 Vancouver Whitecaps U-23 4 (2)
2015–2016 WSA Winnipeg 4 (0)
2017–2018 Calgary Foothills 22 (7)
2019 Valour FC 13 (2)
2020 1. FCA Darmstadt 2 (1)
2021– Cavalry FC 77 (18)
International career
2013 Canada U17 6 (0)
2019 Somalia 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 19, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 December 2019

Early life

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Born in Somalia, Ali moved to Canada at a young age.[1] He began playing youth football with Earl Grey Community Centre.[2] From 2005 to 2009, he played with Winnipeg South End United SC.[3] In 2010, he began playing with WSA Winnipeg.[3] He also played for the Manitoba provincial team in 2009 and 2011.[3] In 2011, he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy.[3] After returning to WSA Winnipeg, he returned to the Whitecaps Academy in 2014.[3] In 2013, he was awarded the Manitoba Soccer Special Achievement Award.[2]

College career

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In 2015, he attended Tyler Junior College, where he played for the men's soccer team.[4][5] He scored two goals in his debut over Jacksonville College on August 29.[6] With Tyler, he advanced to the national finals, where they were defeated by the Louisburg College Hurricances.[7]

In 2017, he began attending the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.[8] He made his debut on September 9, scoring all four goals in a 4-1 victory over the University of Alberta-Augustana, earning Player of the Game honours.[9]

Club career

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From 2011 to 2013, he played for WSA Winnipeg in the Premier Development League.[10] In 2014, while with the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy, he also played with the Vancouver Whitecaps U23 in the PDL. Afterwards, he returned to WSA Winnipeg.[citation needed]

In 2017, Musse began playing for the Calgary Foothills. In the season debut on May 5, 2017, he scored the winning goal in a 4-3 victory over the TSS FC Rovers.[11] He helped the team reach the PDL final in 2017.[12][13] In 2018, he scored five goals in four playoff games as the Foothills won the PDL title, including scoring two goals in extra time in the championship final victory over Reading United AC.[14][15]

In February 2019, Musse signed a professional contract with Canadian Premier League club Valour FC, from his hometown of Winnipeg.[16][17] FC Edmonton had also sought to sign him, with his family now based out of Edmonton, but he chose to return to Winnipeg and sign with Valour to re-unite with head coach Rob Gale who he had played for during his time in the Canada national team program.[18][19] He scored his first goal on June 2, 2019 against FC Edmonton in a 1-0 victory.[20] Ahead of the 2020 season, he was released by the club.[21][22]

In 2020, he signed with German club 1. FCA Darmstadt in the seventh-tier Gruppenliga.[23]

In June 2021, Musse returned to Calgary and signed with Canadian club Cavalry FC on a one-year contract.[24] On July 14, 2022, he scored a brace in a 3-0 victory over HFX Wanderers FC.[25] He missed much of his first season due to injury.[26] On October 2, 2022, he scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Valour FC to clinch a playoff spot for the club.[27][28] Musse led the club in scoring in 2022 with seven goals and four assists, across all competitions.[29] In January 2023, Musse signed a new two-year deal with Cavalry, with an option for 2025.[30][31] At the end of the 2023 season, Musse won the CPL Player's Player of the Year award[32][33] and was named to the CPL Best XI.[34] On August 3, 2024, he scored a brace in a 2-1 victory over Atlético Ottawa, in his first match following a three-month absence due to injury.[35]

International career

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Canada

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In the summer of 2007, he attended a Canada national team evaluation camp.[36] In November 2011, Musse received his first Canadian youth national team call-up for a Canada U16 camp in Costa Rica.[2] He was subsequently named to the squad for the 2013 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, where he won a bronze medal, as well as playing at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[2][37]

Somalia

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In December 2019, Musse was called up by Somalia for the 2019 CECAFA Cup.[38][39] He made his debut as a starter in the opening match in a 0–0 draw against Djibouti.[39]

Personal

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Musse is a devout Muslim and maintains the Ramadan fast during the football season.[40][41]

Career statistics

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As of November 9, 2024[42]
Club statistics
Club Season League Playoffs National Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
WSA Winnipeg 2011[10] PDL 13 2 13 2
2012[10] 12 2 12 2
2013[10] 14 6 14 6
Total 39 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 39 10
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 2014[43] PDL 4 2 1 0 5 2
WSA Winnipeg 2015[44] PDL 1 0 1 0
2016[45] 3 0 3 0
Total 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Calgary Foothills 2017[46] PDL 13 4 1 0 13 4
2018[47] 9 3 4 5 13 8
Total 22 7 5 5 0 0 0 0 27 12
Valour FC 2019 CPL 13 2 2 0 15 2
1. FCA Darmstadt 2020-21[48] Gruppenliga Darmstadt 2 1 0 0 2 1
Cavalry FC 2021 CPL 8 2 1 0 9 2
2022 27 7 2 0 2 0 31 7
2023 25 5 3 2 1 0 29 7
2024 16 4 2 0 2 0 2 0 22 4
Total 76 18 8 2 5 0 2 0 91 20
Career total 160 40 14 7 6 0 2 0 182 50

Honours

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Individual

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  • CPL Player's Player of the Year: 2023

References

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  1. ^ Gangué-Ruzic, Alexandre (October 27, 2023). "How Ali Musse's big-game mentality has Cavalry dreaming of historic CanPL double". OneSoccer. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Ali Musse at the Canadian Soccer Association
  3. ^ a b c d e "Ali Musse Whitecaps profile". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020.
  4. ^ "Ali Musse Tyler profile". Tyler Junior College.
  5. ^ Kennedy, Paul (July 29, 2018). "PDL: Roberts and Musse lead Reading United and Calgary Foothills FC into final". Soccer America. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  6. ^ "TJC Apaches win 4-1 over Jacksonville College". Tyler Morning Telegraph. August 30, 2015. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  7. ^ "TJC's quest for national championship repeat denied". Tyler Morning Telegraph. November 13, 2015. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  8. ^ "Ali Musse NAIT Ooks profile". NAIT Ooks. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  9. ^ "Ooks Begin Season 1-0". NAIT Ooks. September 9, 2017. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d "Ali Musse Stats". SoccerStats US. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  11. ^ Austin, Daniel (May 6, 2017). "Foothills FC enter season with target on their back". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on September 5, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  12. ^ Da Silva, Danielle (March 11, 2019). "Musse can't wait to play in familiar setting". Winnipeg Free Press. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  13. ^ "'Night after night': Finally home, Musse dreaming of opening account". Canadian Premier League. March 2, 2019. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  14. ^ Saelhof, Todd (May 5, 2022). "Cavalry's Ali Musse making faith work for him in shining start to season". Calgary Sun.
  15. ^ Allen, Taylor (February 28, 2019). "Musse ready for kicks with Valour FC". Winnipeg Free Press. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  16. ^ "Valour FC Signs Winnipeg Midfielder Ali Musse". Chris D Winnipeg News. February 28, 2019. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  17. ^ "Valour FC inks Winnipeg midfielder Ali Musse". Canadian Premier League. February 28, 2019. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  18. ^ Hobson, Russ (February 28, 2019). "Valour FC signs homegrown Winnipeg player Ali Musse to multi-year contract". Global News. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  19. ^ Brandt, Ryan (March 27, 2019). "'Ali the Moose!': Valour FC winger Musse aims for breakout season". Canadian Premier League. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  20. ^ Allen, Taylor (June 2, 2019). "Musse snags first goal of season as Valour FC beats Edmonton". Winnipeg Free Press.
  21. ^ Jacques, John (February 27, 2020). "Valour FC Releases Janssens, Musse". Northern Tribune.
  22. ^ Rhodes, Benedict (June 1, 2022). "'There was this fist bump, and that was where it all began': In soccer and life, Ali Musse and Henok Hiebert have an unbreakable bond". Canadian Premier League. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  23. ^ Jacques, John (June 21, 2021). "Cavalry FC Signs Former Valour Forward Ali Musse". Northern Tribune. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  24. ^ "Ali Musse (CAN) signs with Cavalry FC". June 21, 2021.
  25. ^ Tierney, Mitchell (July 14, 2022). "Highlights: Cavalry score three during dominant home performance against 10-man Halifax". Canadian Premier League. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  26. ^ Strasser, Scott (May 7, 2022). "Comfortable Cavalry coast to victory in first Al Classico of 2022 thanks to goals from Mason and Musse". Away from the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  27. ^ Greer, Remy (October 2, 2022). "Musse wonder goal sends Cavalry to CPL playoffs". Okotoks Today. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  28. ^ Strasser, Scott (October 2, 2022). "Report and Reaction: Musse's magical strike secures Cavalry playoff berth". Away from the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  29. ^ Saelhof, Todd (January 24, 2023). "Cavalry re-signs key contributors Ali Musse, Myer Bevan for two-plus campaigns". Calgary Sun. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  30. ^ "Cavalry FC extends contracts of Ali Musse and Myer Bevan". Cavalry FC. January 24, 2023. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  31. ^ Jacques, John (January 24, 2023). "Cavalry Re-Signs Musse, Bevan To Multi-Year Deals". Northern Tribune. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  32. ^ "Cavalry FC's Ali Musse voted 2023 CPL Players' Player of the Year". Canadian Premier League. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  33. ^ Jacques, John (27 October 2023). "2023 CPL Awards Round Up: Cavalry Dominates The Show". Northern Tribune. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  34. ^ "Canadian Premier League Best XI fuelled by Gatorade: 2023 CPL stars honoured". Canadian Premier League. December 20, 2023. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  35. ^ Tierney, Mitchell (August 4, 2024). "Match Analysis: Cavalry's Musse scores stunning brace in return from injury to beat Atlético Ottawa late". Canadian Premier League.
  36. ^ Martin, Nick (July 20, 2013). "An old question: Doubts keep arising about true age of Winnipeg's under-17 soccer star". Winnipeg Free Press. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  37. ^ "Cavalry FC signs ex-Valour attacker Ali Musse for 2021". Canadian Premier League. June 21, 2021. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  38. ^ Chuma, Festus (3 December 2019). "CECAFA 2019: Somalia Name Strong Squad For The Tournament". Ducor Sports. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  39. ^ a b "Ali Adem Musse". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  40. ^ Rhodes, Benedict (January 24, 2023). "'I want to be better in every way': Ali Musse excited to stay at Cavalry". Canadian Premier League. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  41. ^ Parisis, Quentin (August 28, 2024). "Ali Musse : La force tranquille revient faire trembler les défenses adverses" [Ali Musse: Quiet strength returns to shake opposing defenses]. Canadian Premier League (in French).
  42. ^ Ali Musse at Soccerway
  43. ^ "2014 PDL Stats". USL League Two. Archived from the original on 2023-04-22. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  44. ^ "2015 PDL Stats". USL League Two. Archived from the original on 2022-05-28. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  45. ^ "Ali Musse 2016 PDL Stats". USL League Two. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  46. ^ "Ali Musse 2017 PDL Stats". USL League Two. Archived from the original on 2019-05-04. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  47. ^ "Ali Musse 2018 PDL Stats". USL League Two. Archived from the original on 2022-01-17. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  48. ^ "Ali Musse Stats". Kicker (in German). Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
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