Haitham Orabi, the former contracts manager at Al Ahly Club, revealed funny behind-the-scenes details from star Ahmed Hegazi’s transfer to the Red Castle, recalling a situation that brought them together inside his home before signing the contracts, with his late mother as the heroine of that moment.
Former Egypt international Ahmed Hegazi announced his definitive retirement from football after his contract with Saudi club Neom ended.
Haitham Orabi wrote on his personal Facebook page: “On the occasion of Ahmed Hegazi announcing his retirement, I remembered many situations and memories between us, especially during the days of his transfer to Al Ahly. They are all beautiful memories, but there is one situation I will never forget, and its heroine was my mother, may God have mercy on her.”
He continued: “That day Ahmed had just arrived from a trip and was going to sign at my house in complete secrecy. At the same time my mother was visiting me, and normally I am alone and no one knows. Like any authentic Egyptian woman, she arrived carrying stuffed vegetables and enough food to feed an army.”
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He added: “She asked me: Who is this? I told her: Ahmed Hegazi, he just arrived from a trip, and I said to her: Mom, no one should leave the room, this is a very important deal, Al Ahly fans are waiting for it, the board is waiting for it, and the matter is secret. She said: Okay.”
He went on: “While Ahmed was signing the contracts, suddenly I saw my mother coming out with a tray of food, insisting that Ahmed had to eat stuffed vegetables before anything else because Hegazi had just arrived from a trip.”
He added: “I looked at my mom not knowing what to say to her—you’re going to ruin the deal, lady! Ahmed was looking at me in astonishment, as if asking: What should I do? Sign or eat? He tried to apologize, but in the end he couldn’t refuse her insistence.”
He concluded: “May God have mercy on you, Mom. You left a memory that will keep making me laugh for the rest of my life. And you, Ahmed, may God grant you success in your life and your new chapter. You were always professional and respectful, and that is the honest truth I say about you. I hope you achieve even greater success in the next stage, because you deserve all the best.”
It is noted that Ahmed Hegazi has previously played for several clubs, most notably Al Ahly, Ismaily, Italian Fiorentina, and the Saudi clubs Al Ittihad and Neom.
