Aboutreika finally retires after Ghana debacle

Ahly head coach Mohamed Youssef has made it clear that he has failed to convince the team’s star player, Mohamed Aboutreika, to change his mind about quitting football after the Club World Cup.

"I failed to convince Aboutreika to retreat from his retirement decision," Youssef told the club’s official website.

"I spoke with the player during the tournament but he confirmed that he has taken his final decision as it's the right time to quit football," the tactician concluded.

"Winning the African Champions League and playing in the Club World Cup in Morocco, then goodbye to football and many thanks to all," Aboutreika said via Twitter early in October.

The announcement came after the 35-year-old midfielder's dream of playing in his first World Cup was dashed by Egypt's 6-1 playoff defeat to Ghana.

"After I spent the best years of my life playing football, it's the end. I want to thank everyone for their support, and forgive me for any lack of effort. Best of luck to Ahly and the Egyptian national team," Aboutreika tweeted.