Trezeguet rules out Egypt retirement and reveals Trabzonspor contact before Salah talks

Mahamoud Hassan “Trezeguet” says he has no plans to retire from international football and remains available for Egypt, while revealing that Trabzonspor officials spoke to him before opening negotiations with Mohamed Salah.

The 31-year-old joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Riyadh during the current summer transfer window after ending his contract with Al Ahly. He said he was proud to be playing in what he considers one of the strongest leagues in the region and hoped his time in Saudi Arabia would become an important part of his career.

“I knew that the Saudi league was very strong, and I am proud to be in such a strong league,” Trezeguet told Rotana Khalijia. “I am happy to be in Saudi Arabia, my second country, and I hope this will be a good beginning and that it will be written in my history that I achieved something special here.”

Trezeguet also praised the support he has received from Egyptian fans attending Al-Riyadh matches.

“In every match I have played, I have found Egyptian fans present, and sometimes there have been more of them than the supporters of the opposing team,” he said. “I thank them for that.”

The Egypt international added that Al-Riyadh had the infrastructure and staff needed to compete, pointing to the quality of the stadiums, coaching team and club management.

“Everything here is prepared, from the stadiums and other facilities, and we have an excellent technical staff and a management that supports us,” he said.

Despite recently turning 31, Trezeguet dismissed the possibility of ending his international career.

“International retirement? I am still 31 years old and I am still young,” he said. “I am at the service of the national team at any time, and it is still too early to retire.”

The former Aston Villa, Anderlecht and Trabzonspor player said the Saudi Pro League was difficult to predict, with every club possessing players capable of making a difference.

“The Saudi league is very strong and every team has outstanding players,” he said. “The league administration itself is excellent. I have played in England, Belgium, Turkey and several other leagues, and the system here is at the highest level, whether in terms of stadiums, facilities or supporters. No team will be able to settle the league early.”

Trezeguet disclosed that Trabzonspor officials had contacted him before approaching Salah. The pair have played together for Egypt for 13 years, and Trezeguet said he encouraged Salah to consider joining the Turkish club.

“Officials from Trabzonspor spoke to me before negotiating with Mohamed Salah,” he said. “He is like a brother to me and we have played together for the national team for 13 years. I advised him to move to Trabzonspor because it is a good team, and I wish him success and hope he continues to raise the name of our country.”

Asked who could become Salah’s successor in Egypt, Trezeguet said younger players should not be burdened with expectations of matching the Liverpool forward’s achievements.

“For me, every player has a different story, and we should not put pressure on players by demanding that they achieve what Salah has achieved,” he said. “Every player should have his own personal success.”

Trezeguet also named Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the Saudi Pro League, describing the Portugal captain as the greatest footballer in history and an asset to any team.