Latest news with #AbouAli
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Ahly striker Wessam Abou Ali apologizes for misconduct amid MLS transfer talks - Egyptian Football
Palestinian forward Wessam Abou Ali apologized publicly on Monday to Ahly fans, teammates, and club officials for his misconduct as the Egyptian giants near finalizing his transfer to MLS side Columbus Crew. Abou Ali, 26, expressed remorse for his recent conduct after pushing for a move away from the Cairo-based club, citing personal pressures and emotional toll. وسام أبو علي 🗣 يعتذر للنادي وجماهيره ومجلس إدارته ويؤكد شرف لأي لاعب ارتداء قميص الأهلي.🦅 — النادي الأهلي (@AlAhly) July 21, 2025 "I apologize to Ahly fans, President Mahmoud El-Khatib, and everyone at the club," Abou Ali said in a statement on the club's website. "Things escalated too quickly, and I lost control. I bear full responsibility," he added. The striker's apology follows mounting tensions surrounding his future. After a standout performance at the FIFA Club World Cup, where he scored a hat-trick in a dramatic 4-4 draw with FC Porto, Abou Ali made it clear he wanted to leave, urging the club to accept a transfer offer. Linked with Gulf sides Al-Rayyan and Al-Wasl, as well as MLS outfits New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew, Abou Ali's situation turned contentious when he missed pre-season training, citing injury. He was subsequently fined by the club and excluded from Ahly's training camp squad in Tunisia. The Palestinian Football Association intervened last week, issuing a statement urging Ahly to respect the player's wishes and facilitate a move abroad, only to retract it a few hours later by removing the statement from their official channels. Despite initially valuing the player at $10 million and declaring him not for sale, Ahly is now reportedly prepared to accept Columbus Crew's $7.5 million bid, plus $1.5 million in performance-based add-ons and a 15 percent resale clause. Abou Ali joined Ahly from Sweden's IK Sirius in January 2024 and made an immediate impact, scoring 18 goals in 19 matches to win the Egyptian Premier League Golden Boot in his debut half-season. Although injuries disrupted his follow-up campaign, he still finished with 10 goals in 16 league appearances, second only to teammate Emam Ashour. The striker's contract with Ahly runs until 2029, but both parties now appear ready to part ways. "Whether the deal goes through or not, I am grateful to Ahly. This club made me a star, gave me a platform, and took me to the Club World Cup," Abou Ali said. A formal agreement with Columbus Crew is expected in the coming days. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Ammon
4 days ago
- Sport
- Ammon
Ahly ban star striker Abou Ali from training camp
Ammon News - Star striker Wessam Abou Ali from Egyptian club Al Ahly has shunned pre-season medical checks and skipped training in a row reportedly linked to his desire for a transfer from the Cairo club. In other African football news, Brazil-born Mamelodi Sundowns striker Lucas Ribeiro has been nominated for several end-of-season South African awards. A rift has developed between Abou Ali, one of only two scorers of a hat-trick at the 2025 Club World Cup, and record 12-time African champions Al Ahly. It has led to recently appointed Spanish coach Jose Riveiro excluding the Denmark-born Palestine international from a pre-season camp in Tunisia. While Abou Ali wants to leave the Red Devils, no interested club has matched the reported selling price of $12 million (€10.3 mn) set by the record 12-time African champions. Ribeiro is among three nominees for the footballer of the season and players' player of the season awards in South Africa, with the winners to be named on July 29. His rivals in both categories are two other forwards, Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates and Keletso Makgalwa from Sekhukhune United. Ribeiro, 26, joined champions Sundowns from Belgian club Beveren in 2023 and scored an outstanding goal against Borussia Dortmund at the recent Club World Cup in the United States. Five-time African champions TP Mazembe have successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the premature conclusion of the Democratic Republic of Congo national league season. League officials in the central African country declared the campaign over after 16 of the scheduled 22 matchdays, with Eagles topping the table, five points ahead of fifth-placed Mazembe. The CAS decision means the remaining six rounds must be played renewing the chances of Mazembe securing a top-two finish and qualification for the lucrative CAF Champions League. Al Merrikh edged Al Amal Atbara 1-0 and Al Hilal hammered Al Merrikh Obeid 5-0 to remain first and second respectively with one round left in the Sudan Elite League play-offs. The mini-league, in which each club plays seven others, is being staged in the northeast of a country where the national army have been battling a paramilitary force in a civil war since 2023. Merrikh hold a one-point lead over record 30-time Sudanese champions Hilal, who are above Al Ahly Madani and Al Zamala Ruwaba on goal difference. Veteran former Wydad Casablanca midfielder Yahya Jabrane has rejoined the club after one season with Kuwait Sports Club. The 34-year-old was a key figure when the Casablanca outfit won a third CAF Champions League title by defeating Al Ahly in the 2021/22 final.
Al-Ahram Weekly
05-07-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Ahly's Palestinian striker Abou Ali draws Gulf interest after Club World Cup heroics - Egyptian Football
Egyptian giants Ahly have reportedly received lucrative offers from Gulf clubs for Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali following his standout performances at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The 26-year-old forward scored three goals during the tournament, catching the eye despite Ahly's early exit in the group stage. Upon the team's return to Cairo, Ahly were reportedly approached by Qatari side Al-Rayyan, UAE club Al-Wasl, and Major League Soccer outfit New York Red Bulls, all of which expressed interest in signing the prolific striker. According to local media, Al-Rayyan have submitted a $8 million bid, while Al-Wasl offered $7 million. However, sources close to the club suggest Ahly have set a $10 million price tag for their star striker. Ahly sporting director Mohamed Youssef insisted last week that Abou Ali is not for sale, stating: 'The team needs his contributions in the coming period.' However, with interest growing and substantial offers on the table, the club's stance could be put to the test. Since joining Ahly in January 2024, Abou Ali has quickly established himself as a vital figure in the squad. He netted 18 goals in 19 appearances to win the Egyptian Premier League Golden Boot in his debut season. Despite injuries hampering his most recent campaign, he managed 10 goals in 16 league matches, finishing just behind teammate Emam Ashour in the scoring charts. Abou Ali's most memorable moment came in Ahly's final Club World Cup match, where he scored a perfect hat-trick in a thrilling 4-4 draw against FC Porto. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Saba Yemen
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Saba Yemen
Palestinian football star donates World Cup earnings to Gaza
Cairo – Saba: Palestinian footballer Wessam Abou Ali, the star player of Egypt's Al-Ahly Club, announced on Monday that he would donate his entire financial earnings from participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup to support Gaza. According to the Palestinian news agency Sannad, the Palestinian national team striker has allocated his tournament bonus—estimated at 25 million Egyptian pounds—to humanitarian and relief efforts in Gaza, which has endured over 21 months of genocide and starvation. Abou Ali gained global attention during his participation with Al-Ahly in the 2025 Club World Cup, currently being held in the United States, after scoring a hat-trick against Portugal's FC Porto. Later on Monday, Al-Ahly's sporting director, Mohamed Youssef, confirmed that the club would retain the Palestinian star despite receiving multiple offers from European and Gulf teams. Abou Ali has played 60 matches for Al-Ahly, scoring 38 goals and providing 10 decisive assists across various competitions. He played a key role in securing back-to-back league titles in the past two seasons, as well as the 2024 CAF Champions League and domestic Super Cup. Additionally, he claimed the Egyptian Premier League top scorer award in the 2023-2024 season. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Al-Ahram Weekly
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Ahly striker Abou Ali proud of Club World Cup campaign
The Palestinian international impressed in the inaugural edition of the expanded competition, despite Ahly's early exit. He scored a hat-trick in a dramatic 4-4 draw with Portugal's FC Porto on Tuesday and was named man of the match. 'It was a tournament full of lessons, with both highs and lows,' Abou Ali wrote on Instagram. 'Without a doubt, I will look back on it with pride as time goes on.' The 26-year-old's future at the Cairo club remains uncertain, with media reporting he could leave during the summer transfer window. Abou Ali joined Ahly from Swedish side IK Sirius in January 2024 on a four-year deal. Despite arriving mid-season, he finished as the Egyptian Premier League's top scorer with 18 goals. Since joining the record African champions, he has netted 38 goals and provided 10 assists in 60 appearances in all fronts. Find more details on group standings, match schedules, and competition statistics (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:
