Eritrea gained de jure independence from Ethiopia after a 30-year protracted war in 1993 and was immediately plunged into civil war by the multiethnic factions thereafter.
It was around this uncertain time that Teame Isak, a teacher fled to Sweden with his wife and sought refuge in Solna, where his son Alexander was born in 1999.
Alexander ended up training with local team AIK Fotboll aged six, there he encountered coach Nahom Ghidey, who also came from an Eritrean background too. His professional career kicked off as a teenager here.
In 2017 he transferred to the Bundesliga Dortmund and it was supposed to be the making of him but he struggled to impress all his coaches.
It was at Dutch side Willem II where he was loaned to from Dortmund that his star began to shine.
His talent was later announced to the world by his Euro 2020 appearance in the colours of Sweden, after this his form exploded in Real Sociedad and this led the premier league side Newcastle to knock on his door. Now a £130 million acquisition by Liverpool from Newcastle in a British record transfer fee.
The story of the Isaks’ life’s journey can only be described as a “dream” for all Africans whose families are still there facing uncertainties.
Seven years ago, Alexander was invited to Eritrea by Ambassador Zemede Tekle, the Commissioner of Culture and Sports of the country.
He had been back briefly as a young kid, but not since his epic rise in the game.
Alexander took in his surroundings in Eritrea, visited a football school and tried to get a better understanding of his roots.
He was impressed with what he saw, and it reminded him how he himself started.
“I like that the kids are training and building their future,” he revealed.
“I did the same when I was young; we were many kids on the same pitch. This is an interesting project and it’s nice to see where the kids develop and be guided.”
Life indeed is not a bed of roses. The story of Teame Isak and his son Alexander is a good example of resilience, a determination to succeed in the midst of hopelessness and uncertainties. Have you ever observed the hostile economy of the country where you live, the contrary and daunting situations around you and think you have been down on your luck or that the contrary situation would swallow you up?
It can be tempting to just give up and resign yourself to the negativity and the fate of your peers who life’s hostile situations are consuming all around you.
If you want to make the most of your life, this one life, and succeed, you need to learn to push past whatever barriers are placed in your way. Don’t take the easy way out.
The story of Teame Isak can be a motivation to keep you believing.
References
- “Alexander Isak’s family fled war-torn Eritrea for a new life in Sweden” By Jon Boon for The Sun. 28 August 2022.
- ”Jag blir alltid jämförd med Goitom” By Per Bohman. 25 July 2018.
- “‘Not in my hands’: diplomatic Howe has lost control of Isak’s Newcastle future”. By Taylor, Louise for The Guardian. 15 August 2025.
- “Liverpool agree £125m deal to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle on deadline day” By Andy Hunter, 1 Sep 2025
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