Zamalek's Shikabala reveals retirement plans

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Saturday Jun 01, 2024. 13:35

Zamalek superstar Shikabala has revealed his retirement plans after winning the CAF Confederation Cup.

The 38-year-old attacker helped the Egyptian giants clinch the continental trophy as they overcame RS Berkane of Morocco in the final last month.

Shikabala, whose full name is Mahmoud Abdelrazek Hassan Fadlala, is one of the greatest Zamalek players of all time having made over 380 appearances for the team since he was promoted from the club’s academy to the first team in 2002.

The Egyptian football legend has stated that he plans to retire from professional football at the end of the 2024/25 season.

“Club president Hussein Labib informed me to choose the appropriate time for my retirement,” Shikabala said on Ahram Online.

“I’ve decided to retire at the end of next season and will not fulfill the entire two-year contract,” Shikabala, who signed a new contract in February, told MBC Masr 2.

Shikabala expressed the emotional weight of his decision, particularly after a limited role in the recent Confederation Cup final victory against Renaissance Berkane.

“It was difficult for me in the Confederation Cup final, I was tense due to not playing.”

Shikabala, who has two goals in 32 matches for Egypt, has enjoyed stints abroad with PAOK (Greece), Al-Wasl (UAE), Sporting Lisbon (Portugal), Al-Raed (Saudi Arabia), and Apollon (Greece).