Ali Maaloul describes why footballers are treated as sacred in Egypt

Tunisian star Ali Maaloul, now at CS Sfaxien and formerly a key figure for Al Ahly, has opened up about his unforgettable experience playing in Egypt, calling his move to the Cairo giants a turning point in his life on and off the pitch.

He explained that the fame and pressure at Al Ahly were on another level compared to Tunisia, saying that in Egypt, footballers are treated with extraordinary respect.

In an interview on the Tunisian show “Interview”, Maaloul said that playing for a club of Al Ahly’s size made him feel what real popularity means, as Egyptians live and breathe football and hold players in very high regard.

He recalled a funny early moment in Cairo when fans surrounded him in a mall before he had even played a competitive match, which made him immediately realize the club’s huge fanbase.

Maaloul spoke warmly about his relationship with Al Ahly supporters, built on love and respect, and how that bond pushed him to give everything on the field.

He expressed pride in winning around 22 trophies in nine years, including four CAF Champions League titles, stressing that Al Ahly’s strict structure and strong dressing-room leaders helped create a European-style environment in Africa.
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