Ahmed Magdy reveals why he left Zamalek after 14 years

Ahmed Magdy says he was told he would not remain at Zamalek just days before the registration deadline, despite being repeatedly assured that he was part of the club’s plans for the future.

The former Zamalek player described the circumstances surrounding his departure in a statement posted on Instagram, claiming that a season was lost while he underwent medical tests for a condition that was ultimately found not to exist.

Magdy spent 14 years at Zamalek after joining the club through a series of trials. He was one of four players from the club’s youth setup released, alongside Anas Wael, Abdelrahman Kamal and Ayman Amir Abdel Aziz, according to FilGoal.com.

“I spent 14 years inside Zamalek after I went to trials and took part in more than 10 tests,” Magdy wrote. “Every time I went, I knew that I might leave, but I trusted in God. Praise be to God, I was accepted without any connections. Throughout my football career, I never had connections and never relied on anyone, other than God’s help and my own efforts.”

The 14-year-old? No, keep accurate: He spent 14 years, not age. He represented all age groups at the club and was selected for Egypt’s youth national team before being promoted to the first team under Jose Gomes.

“During those 14 years, I played in all the age-group teams, had the honour of representing the youth national team and was promoted to the first team with Jose Gomes,” he added. “Unfortunately, a few days before registration, I was informed that I would not continue with the club.”

Medical dispute

Magdy said he had been told last season that he had a health problem and needed further examinations, despite having no symptoms or previous complaints.

“Last season, I was surprised when I was told that I had a health problem and needed to undergo tests, even though I had never complained about anything throughout my life and had not felt any symptoms,” he said.

“I spent around six months having tests and scans because of something that eventually turned out not to exist in the first place. I lost an entire season that I had been waiting for to prove myself with the first team.”

Magdy added that he later obtained a report from the head of the cardiology department at Cairo University. He said the doctor was the same specialist to whom Zamalek had directed him for examination.

“In the end, I received a report from the head of the cardiology department at Cairo University, the same doctor the club had asked me to see, and it confirmed that I was completely healthy and that there was no obstacle to playing football,” he wrote.

He also claimed Zamalek rejected several offers he received after his promotion to the first team.

“Despite that, the club rejected more than one offer that came to me after I was promoted to the first team. The response was always: ‘You are the son of the club and the future of the club.’”

Magdy said he had remained in contact with Zamalek throughout the holiday period to establish whether he would be retained. He wanted to find another club before registration lists closed if there was no place for him, but said he was repeatedly told he would remain with the squad.

Zamalek board member Hussein El Sayed has said the decision over which young players would stay in the first-team squad for the new season was based solely on the technical assessment of manager Moataz Gamal and his coaching staff.

Zamalek are currently holding a pre-season training camp in the New Administrative Capital. They are preparing to compete in the Egyptian Premier League, the Egypt Cup, the Egyptian League Cup, the CAF Champions League and the Egyptian Super Cup.

Their season will begin with a league meeting against Al Ittihad Alexandria. Zamalek won the Egyptian Premier League title last season for a record-extending 15th time in their history.