Zamalek’s long-time captain, Mahmoud Abdel Razek Shikabala, has shared the critical moment that could have changed his football journey forever.
Back in Egypt after a turbulent spell with PAOK in Greece, a young Shikabala stood at a crossroads.
“I love Zamalek, I don’t need to emphasise that, I’m the club’s captain now.”
Returning from Europe, the cost of securing his release was high, too high for most teams. Only two clubs could afford the fee: Zamalek and their fierce rivals, Al Ahly.
“I visited Zamalek’s headquarters five times, but the surprise was that the officials turned off their phones and no one met me… I reached the point of thinking about retiring from football. At the same time, Al Ahly was in constant contact with me.”
“I agreed to sit down with Al Ahly officials… I felt that something was wrong.”
Just as a move to Al Ahly looked certain, a last-minute call to Zamalek’s then-president Mamdouh Abbas changed everything.
“I went to the club’s headquarters and the transfer took place.”
