INTERVIEW: Al Ahly’s jersey carries huge responsibility - Marwan Attia

Al Ahly first-team midfielder Marwan Attia has expressed his immense pride at continuing with the club after extending his contract until 2030, describing the move as an important step that will provide him with greater motivation and strengthen his determination to compete, make Al Ahly’s fans happy and win every trophy.

Attia spoke to the club’s official website and social media platforms about his contract extension, the nature of the competition this season and the future ambitions he hopes to achieve with the Club of the Century.

On his contract extension

Attia said: “I’m extremely happy with the confidence the club officials have shown in my abilities. I felt a great deal of appreciation after returning from the World Cup with the national team, and there is certainly no better place for me to continue than Al Ahly.

“Everything was completed in no more than an hour, after which I signed the new contract. I received tremendous appreciation and support from Al Ahly, which of course makes me extremely happy.”

He added: “Many fans say that I have become one of the club’s own, and that is a great honor, but at the same time, it comes with double the responsibility.

“There is no player who does not dream of belonging to Al Ahly. As soon as I returned from the World Cup, the club officials spoke to me about their desire to extend my contract in recognition of what I had contributed over the previous period. That made me feel extremely valued within the club.”

“I fulfilled the dream I had since childhood”

Attia explained: “From my first day at Al Ahly, I was determined to work hard and dedicate myself to the job, and to play a role both on and off the pitch. Thankfully, I fulfilled the dream I had pursued since childhood and became part of this great institution.

“I joined the team during the rise of a new golden generation that achieved tremendous success, reaching the global stage. Under Marcel Koller, we won five trophies in a single season, along with an unprecedented winning streak.

“I’m honored to be part of this generation. Al Ahly has always been accustomed to bringing in the best players.”

“Playing for Al Ahly is a huge responsibility”

Attia said: “Playing for Al Ahly is a huge responsibility and requires an exceptional ability to handle pressure because the club’s jersey carries a lot of weight.

“Anyone who wears it must have a strong personality and a distinctive mentality. It requires tremendous focus at all times, both on and off the pitch.

“Being at Al Ahly represents a major step forward for any player. It allows you to develop, gain experience, win trophies and make history.”

He added: “Being at Al Ahly has allowed me to develop myself on every level. It has also given me a golden opportunity to compete on the biggest stages, such as the Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. “The match I’m most proud of is Al Ahly’s game against Inter Miami at the Club World Cup. I was tasked with marking Lionel Messi throughout the match, and thankfully I put in a strong performance.

“During that game, we faced each other nine times on the pitch, and I won the ball from him seven times.

“I’m also very proud of our match against Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, where I was named Man of the Match, as well as the CAF Champions League final, when we won the title against Wydad Casablanca at their home ground, thanks to Mohamed Abdelmonem’s goal.”

On his goal against Al Sharqiya Enppi

Asked about his goal against ENPPI in the opening game of the league season, Attia said he regularly looks to shoot from outside the penalty area.

“I do try to shoot from outside the box in many matches. Some of those attempts are saved by the goalkeeper, while others come back off the post or crossbar.

“If I had scored those chances, I would have a large number of goals to my name by now. Ultimately, goals are a blessing from God and a reward for the efforts of all my teammates on the pitch.”

“Every step at Al Ahly is carefully measured”

Attia continued: “My entire focus is on the pitch, and I always make sure to uphold the club’s identity.

“Al Ahly has a system that I had heard a lot about before joining the team, and when I arrived, I found it to be extremely disciplined.

“Every step at Al Ahly is carefully measured, whether it is training, matches or camps. The same applies to our behavior both on and off the pitch, which must always reflect the stature of the club.”

“A lion may get sick, but it never dies”

Reflecting on last season, Attia said: “Last season was not our best, and we promise our fans that we will give everything we have this season.

“Personally, I say, ‘A lion may get sick, but it never dies,’ and ‘When Al Ahly comes back, it comes back stronger than ever.’

“This season, we will give our very best. The club has signed some excellent players while retaining its experienced players, and the coaching staff continues to work tirelessly to achieve the best possible results.”

“Al Ahly’s fans are the driving force behind every success”

Attia stressed the importance of Al Ahly’s supporters, describing them as the driving force behind the club’s success.

“Al Ahly’s fans are the driving force behind every success. Having them behind the team gives everyone confidence, enthusiasm and an even greater sense of responsibility.

“Everyone will give everything they can to make the fans happy and win every trophy.”