True to his word, Mohamed Abou-Treika announces his retirement following the conclusion of Al Ahly’s campaign at the FIFA Club World Cup.
As Abou-Treika said he would in October following Egypt’s disastrous 6-1 loss to Ghana, the Egyptian and African legend announced his retirement from football on his Twitter account on Friday.
His last match was not the best way to end his remarkable career unfortunately, as Al Ahly lost 2-0 to Guangzhou Evergrande. Moreover, Abou-Treika was injured in the match, replaced at half-time and requires six-week treatment after tearing a muscle.
Nicknamed as ‘The Prince of Hearts’, this decision has surely left many football fans heart-broken, Egyptians and even Africans in general, not just Al Ahly fans.
In a sad farewell, Egypt’s legendary Mohamed Abou-Treika tweeted his final decision: “After spending the best years of my life playing football, it is time to call it off. Thank you all, I love you and forgive me if there was any dereliction. Best of luck to Al Ahly and the National Team.”
بعد اجمل سنين عمرى التى قضيتها فى عالم الكرة جاء الختام شكرًا للجميع أحبكم جميعا وسامحوني ان كان هناك تقصير وبالتوفيق للاهلى ومنتخب مصر.
— محمدمحمدابوتريكة (@aboutrikamoham1) December 20, 2013
“Thanks to my father, my mother, my children, my friends and everyone who trained or supported me. May Allah forgive those who wronged me,” he continued.
His message to Al Ahly players: “I am honoured to have played with you. You were the best of friends, withstood the impossible; but you are heroes, you lifted freedom up high. Thank You.”
Finally, he thanked the Al Ahly’s fans by tweeting: “Thank you Ahly fans for all this love.”
جمهور الاهلى شكرًا على كل هذا الحب
— محمدمحمدابوتريكة (@aboutrikamoham1) December 20, 2013
It is worth noting that the 35 year old scored 126 goals in 288 matches for Al Ahly – guiding them to Five CAF Champions league titles, Three African Super Cups, seven domestic league titles and a Bronze medal at the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup.
He also played 104 matches for the Egyptian national team, scoring 38 goals and winning two African Cup of Nations titles in 2006 and 2008.
Many people wished that he would delay his retirement, but it seems that he preferred to hang his boots while his magic was still going instead of having to do so in his weaker times. Abou-Treika is undoubtedly one of Egypt’s finest players ever (some argue he is the best), the main thing he failed to achieve was reaching the grand international stage.
Abou-Treika has engraved his name in people’s hearts and in the history of Egyptian and African football.
AhlyInfo are a fan-based team covering the latest news surrounding Al Ahly SC on KingFut.com. You can follow them on Twitter @AhlyInfo.
