Hady Riad targets every trophy with Al Ahly after January move

Al Ahly defender Hady Riad says the club’s pre-season camp in Spain is being conducted with “calmness, focus and commitment” as the squad prepares for the new season.

Riad, who joined Al Ahly in January, said the players had a clear objective after beginning their preparations in Cairo before moving to Spain.

“Al Ahly’s camp in Spain is characterised by calmness, commitment and focus,” he told the club’s official website. “Since the start of the preparations in Cairo and then our move to Spain, we have had a specific goal that we are working towards and seeking to achieve. That is why I believe the camp is going extremely well in terms of concentration and commitment.”

The defender also praised head coach Hussein Ammouta, describing him as a highly accomplished manager.

“Hussein Ammouta is a great coach with a rich history of achievements,” Riad said. “I hope it will be a successful season for him, for us and for Al Ahly, and that we achieve all the objectives we are pursuing and dreaming of.”

Riad said joining Al Ahly fulfilled a childhood ambition and described wearing the club’s shirt as a major honour.

“Playing for Al Ahly was a huge dream for me, and I had been trying to achieve it since childhood,” he said. “Wearing Al Ahly’s shirt is therefore a very great honour, while winning trophies with the club is a tremendous dream and an honour for any footballer in Egypt, the Arab world and Africa.”

He acknowledged the responsibility that comes with representing one of the continent’s biggest clubs, but said his role was to ensure he was ready whenever selected.

“Playing for Al Ahly is a great responsibility because you are playing for the biggest club in Africa and the Arab world,” Riad said. “As for securing a place in the team and playing regularly, I do my job to the best of my ability, train well and follow the manager’s instructions. Whether I play or not is ultimately in God’s hands and those of the coaching staff.”

He added: “All I can do is attend training and give everything I have. Success comes from God in the end.”

During the preparations, Al Ahly’s coaching staff have been working on several tactical areas, including building from the back, progressing with the ball and scoring from set-pieces.

“We follow the manager’s instructions in training and focus on many aspects, including how to build play and play out with the ball, as well as scoring from set-pieces,” Riad said.

The defender also explained that his personal development involved watching European football and studying how the game was evolving.

“Personally, I always like to improve myself, learn and follow what is happening in European football,” he said. “Every player wants to develop his level. These things help us individually and also have a positive effect on the team.”

Competition for places in central defence is strong, but Riad believes it can only benefit Al Ahly.

“We are at a big club, and it is natural for it to have great players and internationals,” he said. “Competition is therefore normal and benefits the team. Everyone works hard and gives their maximum, and every player seeks his opportunity.”

Riad said he was comfortable partnering any of his fellow defenders, rather than choosing one preferred team-mate.

“Honestly, I love all my team-mates personally,” he said. “Outside the pitch we are brothers, and inside the pitch we are also friends. I feel comfortable playing alongside any defender because we all support one another.”

He also believes detailed preparation for opponents is increasingly important as football becomes more sophisticated.

“Football has developed significantly, and there are now performance analysts who sit with players and show them the strengths and weaknesses of opposing forwards and teams, as well as how to deal with them,” Riad said.

“I am the type of player who likes to prepare well before matches. I like to know the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, and I always prefer to watch and prepare for the game before playing it.”

Riad’s ambition with Al Ahly is to compete for every available honour.

“I hope to win all the trophies, and I dream of standing on every podium wearing Al Ahly’s shirt,” he said.

The defender said he had settled quickly after arriving in January, helped by the welcome he received from the squad.

“Since I came to Al Ahly last January, I have felt as if I had been at the club for years,” he said. “The senior players treated me wonderfully. I do not want to mention too many names in case I forget someone, but everyone makes you feel that you are part of the team.

“We are one family here. We stand by one another in good times and bad. The players are extremely respectful and kind, beyond description.”

Riad revealed that Al Ahly football director Wael Gomaa had been his role model since childhood. He said old posts on his Facebook account from 2013 or 2014 would show Gomaa’s picture as his profile image.

“I am not saying that because he has become an official at Al Ahly,” Riad said. “He really is my role model. I followed and admired him from a young age, and we speak regularly.

“If he notices something that needs guidance or advice, he speaks to me about it immediately. That is because of his great experience as one of the best defenders in the history of Egyptian and African football. He can certainly spot certain details concerning the team’s defenders.”

Riad said Gomaa speaks to the players after receiving permission from Ammouta.

“After getting Hussein Ammouta’s permission, he talks to us and guides us on some matters,” Riad said. “He might say to me, ‘Hady, I want you to do this and this.’ Having him with us is a very significant addition.”

He also spoke emotionally about team-mate Youssef Belammari’s injury, saying he stayed with the player after witnessing him go down during a match.

“I was standing next to Youssef Belammari on the pitch and saw him fall, but I do not like watching injury incidents, so I moved away and did not see the details,” Riad said. “I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he returns in the best possible condition.”

He added: “The injury is fate, and perhaps there is something good in it for him. Perhaps God protected him from something worse, or protected his family from something. But the situation was very difficult for me.”

“When he came in the evening, I was close to crying. I sat with him in the room and did not sleep until late because it was so difficult for me. He is someone I love, a very respected and kind person. You feel that he is close to you and similar to you in his character. I pray that he returns safely to the pitches and is better than before.”

Riad apologised to Al Ahly supporters for the club’s results last season and promised that the squad would try to deliver a much better campaign.

“Al Ahly’s fans are magnificent, and I sincerely apologise to them for last season because we let you down,” he said. “I know that very well and, God willing, we will make you happy this season by winning all the trophies.”

He added: “God willing, next season will be full of trophies, goodness, happiness and joy. We will make you happy as you deserve. We appreciate Al Ahly’s fans and everything they do for us, and we hope to delight you in the new season and win all the trophies so that we can all celebrate together.”

Finally, Riad described his family’s reaction to his move to Al Ahly. He said his parents were overwhelmed with joy, particularly because of the sacrifices they had made during his career.

“My father could hardly sleep and called me every day to ask about the news,” Riad said. “My father is a very passionate Al Ahly supporter, so when they learned that my move to Al Ahly had been completed, they could not sleep because of their happiness.”

“It was indescribable joy, especially because they had worked so hard with me and endured so much for my sake. I thank them for everything they have done for me. What I have achieved today is thanks to God, and then to the prayers of my father, my mother, my brothers, my family and my friends.”

He concluded: “Anything I achieve or reach is, after God’s help, because of my father and mother. I thank them greatly for everything they have given me. May God bless them and reward them with all the best for me.”