Al Ahly board member rejects claims over Zizo’s salary and reveals Trezeguet deal

Al Ahly board member Ahmed Hossam Awad has denied reports that Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” earns 100 million Egyptian pounds per season, while confirming that the club’s football company covered 35-40% of Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet’s” contract.

Zizo and Trezeguet joined Al Ahly in the summer of the 2025-26 season. Trezeguet left after one campaign, while Zizo is continuing with the club for a second successive season.

Speaking on Al-Nahar TV, Awad said Zizo’s signing had been driven by the coaching staff’s assessment of the player.

“There was a technical desire from the coaching staff to sign Zizo for Al Ahly. He is an international player and a major star,” Awad said.

He rejected reports about the scale of Zizo’s salary, including claims that he earns 200 million Egyptian pounds.

“What is being said about Zizo’s salary at Al Ahly is not true,” he said. “I invite anyone who says his salary is 200 million Egyptian pounds to produce a document proving it. I reject baseless claims that Al Ahly is manipulating its budget, because that is not something that should be said.”

Awad added that Al Ahly considers the commercial opportunities associated with a player when negotiating a deal, as well as the player’s contribution on the pitch.

“When Al Ahly signs a player, it looks at how it can benefit from the player’s commercial rights and advertising opportunities,” he said. “There is no disagreement that Zizo’s commercial value is very high, apart from his technical value on the field.”

He said the club had significantly increased its income from its players’ commercial value after signing Zizo.

“Al Ahly has managed to maximise its returns from the commercial value of its players,” Awad said. “The club signed a very important player and generated significant financial returns because of him.”

He also insisted that Zizo’s salary had not reached 100 million Egyptian pounds, despite reports to the contrary.

“Zizo’s salary did not reach 100 million Egyptian pounds, as has been claimed,” Awad said.

Trezeguet’s salary contribution

Awad explained that Al Ahly’s football company had been responsible for part of Trezeguet’s wages during his time at the club.

“The football company was responsible for part of Trezeguet’s salary at Al Ahly and covered 35-40% of the value of his contract with the club,” he said.

He pointed to Trezeguet’s substantial commercial and advertising appeal, citing the number of television and social media campaigns in which the player appeared.

“Trezeguet’s commercial and advertising value is very high. Look at how many advertisements the player appeared in on television and on social media,” Awad said.

He added that commercial considerations formed a major part of player contracts at Al Ahly.

“The commercial values determine a very large part of the player’s contract with Al Ahly,” he said.

Trezeguet played 32 matches for Al Ahly last season, scoring 18 goals and providing one assist.

Zizo has made a strong start to the current campaign, scoring four goals to become Al Ahly’s leading scorer since the season began.