Imam Ashour rejects injury claims and commits future to Al Ahly until 2030

Imam Ashour has denied pretending to be injured or rebelling against Al Ahly after missing the Egyptian club’s pre-season preparations and their opening league match.

The 28-year-old midfielder said he suffered a serious injury while playing for Egypt against Argentina at the World Cup and insisted he had been focused on returning to full fitness.

“I learned to be patient no matter what people say about me. My response is on the pitch,” Ashour told Al Ahly’s official website. “As long as you are at Al Ahly, you are not allowed to respond to anyone except through the pitch. This is the system of Al Ahly.”

Ashour was absent throughout Al Ahly’s preparations for the new campaign and also missed their opening Egyptian Premier League fixture against Eastern Company Enppi.

“I suffered a serious injury in the match against Argentina at the World Cup. The injury was serious, and I tried to return quickly. I was fully focused on recovering,” he said.

“I underwent treatment with Al Ahly’s doctors and gradually began training again. I took part in one training session at the team’s camp in Spain before the Barcelona match. I will not pretend to be injured or rebel against Al Ahly. I hope to be involved in every match with the club.”

New contract and Al Ahly ambitions

Al Ahly have extended Ashour’s contract by four years, keeping him at the club until 2030.

The player said he was pleased to continue his career with the Egyptian giants and believed he could help them achieve further success.

“I am happy to be at Al Ahly. I can create history, achieve titles, give something significant to the club and live up to the expectations of the fans,” he said.

Ashour also thanked his agent, the club’s director of contracts and the Al Ahly board for their confidence in him.

“I thank my agent, the director of contracts and the Al Ahly board for their trust in me. Being at Al Ahly means winning titles and achievements, and that gives me motivation,” he added.

“Al Ahly is an honour for any player. I am always happy to be on the pitch and to see the Al Ahly supporters. After God, they are my support. We will write history together, and I thank them for their support throughout the recent period.”

Al Ahly rejected an offer for Ashour from Turkish club Konyaspor during the current summer transfer window.

The midfielder said playing abroad remained an ambition for footballers, but his immediate priority was to continue building his legacy with Al Ahly.

“Playing abroad is every player’s dream, but I am at Al Ahly to write a new chapter in history. With Al Ahly, I have played in the Club World Cup and with the national team at the World Cup,” he said.

Praise for Hussein Amouta

Ashour spoke positively about Al Ahly manager Hussein Amouta, describing him as an experienced coach with a strong personality.

“He is a great coach with a distinguished history and a strong personality. He supported me greatly during the recent period and speaks with me constantly,” Ashour said. “He is extremely honest with all the players and pays attention to every detail.”

Ashour added that Amouta had told the squad its depth would allow him to use different players according to the demands of each match.

“He assured us that the team has a large group of outstanding players and that he would benefit from everyone depending on the circumstances of the matches. The team has more than 30 players, and everybody will get their opportunity,” he said.

“He also has confidence in the team’s overall abilities. We hope he achieves the success he is aiming for and wins every title.”

Ashour promised Al Ahly supporters that the team would target trophies in the coming season.

“At Al Ahly, we play for one goal only: winning titles. Last season saw a decline, which can happen naturally to any club, but when Al Ahly falls, it can stand up again,” he said.

“God willing, we will win every title this season. Dreams become reality with Al Ahly. The club is a great honour for any player and a huge responsibility. I am eager to return to matches and see the supporters in the stands. God willing, it will be a season full of titles.”

Ashour joined Al Ahly in 2023 from Danish club Midtjylland. He has made 105 appearances for the club, scoring 32 goals and providing 25 assists.

He has won the Egyptian Premier League twice, the Egyptian Super Cup twice, the Egypt Cup once, the CAF Champions League once and the Africa-Asia-Pacific Cup with Al Ahly.

Al Ahly’s next match is against ZED on Friday in the second round of the Egyptian Premier League.