Mohamed Aboutrika

Mohamed Aboutrika

Personal information
Full name	Mohamed Aboutrika
Height	1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Team information
Current team	Al-Ahly
Number	22
Youth career
	Tersana
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2000–2004	Tersana	?	(27)
2004–	Al-Ahly	367	(105)
International career‡
2004–	Egypt	66	(22)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 8, 2008 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of July 6, 2009

Mohamed Aboutrika (sometimes also written as Abou Trika or Aboutreika, Arabic: محمد أبو تريكة) (born November 7, 1978) is an Egyptian footballer. Aboutrika plays as a playmaker and attacking midfielder for Egyptian club Al-Ahly as well as the Egyptian national football team. He has been dubbed as the Egyptian Zinedine Zidane for his technical skill and excellent vision of the field.

He was nominated for the 2006 CAF African Footballer of the Year award, and he came second in the 2008 African Footballer of The Year 2008

Aboutrika started playing professionally for Egyptian club Tersana before transferring to Al-Ahly in January 2004. He was the main reason for his team winning the national league and the CAF champions League two successive times, and maintaining a 71 match unbeaten run. He helped Al-Ahly to get the bronze medal in FIFA Club World Cup 2006. He also helped the Egyptian national team to win the African Cup of Nations Egypt 2006, and scored the winner to help Egypt win the 2008 tournament.

Aboutrika's contribution came not only in finding the net but also in creating from his playmaking role behind the strikers. His offensive skills were best demonstrated in his timing, as he often chose the right moment to come forward for shots on goal. He has recently been dubbed "The Smiling Assassin" by foreign media because of his two main trademarks: goalscoring and smiling. He is renowned in Egypt for his modest personality and kind heart. His trade mark celebration after a goal is to prostrate on the ground in submission and praise of Allah (SWT).

Aboutrika's career

Aboutrika was born in a poor simple quarter in Giza. Like most football players, he lived a simple life playing football in the streets and honing his skills. When he turned 12, his friend, Magdi Abed, suggested he take the fitness test at Tersana Club, the second biggest club in Giza after Al-Zamalek. Indeed, Aboutrika passed all the tests and joined the club, "I joined the club through personal effort and without favouritism" is what Aboutrika has to say about that experience.

With Tersana, Aboutrika demonstrated a proficiency which led to his promotion to the First Squad at the tender age of 17. He helped his team, who was playing in the second division, to reach the Egyptian League, being their top scorer in two successive seasons.

His first appearance close to the spotlight was in 2000-2001 Egyptian League, Aboutrika scored 6 goals and made many assists to his teammates, forming a link with the Syrian striker Mohannad Al-Boshi leading him to score 11 goals, most of them was with the help of his accurate passes. As a result, he was offered a place in the Egyptian national Olympic team, and the Egyptian national military team.

In 2001-2002, Aboutrika continued his playmaking skills and scored 7 important goals helping his team to stay in the Egyptian League. In 2002-2003, Aboutrika started to show his ability to score as well as making goals, he scored 11 goals for his team, and this is a very good rate for a midfielder player playing in a relatively weak team in the Egyptian League. The Egyptian newspapers started then to turn the spotlight on this player's promising talent.

2004

In the first part of Egyptian league 2003-2004, Aboutrika scored 3 goals for Tersana, but demonstrated a high proficiency, with his skills and killing passes. He was offered a position in Egypt's and one of Africa's top performing football teams, Al Ahly. He scored 11 goals in his first and only 13 appearances with Al Ahly in 2003-2004 league, coming in the second place between top scorers in the Egyptian League with 14 goals.

Since 2004 when he joined Al-Ahly club, Aboutrika scored 7 goals in Egypt Derby against Al-Zamalek, 2 less than the record 9 goals by Al Ahly and El Zamalek giant, and arguably Egypt's best ever striker Hossam Hassan. He set a new record as no one has managed to score more than 7 goals except "Trika" and Touto. While Hossam Hassan scored only 5 goals with Al-Ahly and 4 with Al-Zamalek.

Aboutrika's efforts with Ahly since day one meant that he was given an Egyptian National Team position, and he debuted against Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly match before the World Cup 2006 qualifiers on March 31, 2004 in Arab Contractors Stadium. His National debut game ended 2-1 for the Egyptians. He started as an attacker, but was found to excel when he played his normal position behind the attackers in the midfield position. Aboutrika scored his first national goal in this game. He scored 5 goals in his first 6 appearances with Egypt.

2005

In 2005, Al-Ahly regained the Egyptian League Championship after four years out of top position, Aboutrika came in the third place between topscorers in the Egyptian League with 9 goals, and helped his team mate Emad Moteab to be the top scorer of competition. Also in 2005, Aboutrika played a great role in Al-Ahly victory of the CAF Champions League 2005, he scored an amazing goal in the final with an outrageous effort from 30 yards out against Étoile Sportive du Sahel of Tunisia in a game ended 3-0 for Al-Ahly.

Al-Ahly qualified for FIFA Club World Championship 2005 but finished last, Aboutrika told FIFA.com the reason saying: "Our problem was that we lost our form, for some reason we could not play like we had before arriving in Japan".

Before Japan, with Aboutrika on-board, Al-Ahly was about to make a new world record for the longest winning-streak for a football club. Some have commented that the combination with Emad Motab and Mohamed Barakat formed the most formidable triangle in African Soccer, and they were given the moniker of "The Bermuda Triangle". The Angolan striker Flavio Amado replaces Barakat sometimes, playing a great role in forming this dangerous triangle.

2006

Serving a powerful cocktail of skill and strength in every game he played in the year 2006, Aboutrika was certainly the key player for his team Al Ahly, and his national team Egypt.

He proved his international team trump card en route to victory in the African Cup of Nations Egypt 2006, in February 2006, where he scored two important goals against Libya and Ivory Coast. He was the winning goal assistant, in the Semi-final match against Senegal when Amr Zaki scored in the 80th minute. He was very dominant in that game, but his accurate shot hit the bar. In the final match, Aboutrika scored the decisive penalty shootout which gave Egypt the title.

Aboutrika led Al Ahly to the African Champions title CAF Champions League 2006 for the second successive time in Nov 2006. He was the top scorer of the competition with 8 goals, and scored the final match winning goal against CS Sfaxien in the 92nd minute.

He participated also with Al Ahly in winning the African Super Cup against FAR Rabat of Morocco, days after the African Cup of Nations in February.

Locally, he got the Egyptian League in June when he was the top scorer by 18 goals, and won Egyptian Soccer Cup, then the Egyptian Super Cup in July when he scored the winning goal against ENPPI, in the 92nd minute which seems to be his minute of luckiness, although he was a bit injured since the first half.

Japanese newspapers nominated Aboutrika to be one of the best players in FIFA Club World Championship 2006 in Japan, the last tournament in Aboutrika's great year. Al-Ahly was one of the African representatives, and the first team ever to be qualified two successive times to this championship, and the first African team to win a medal in that competition.

In the opening match of the tournament against Auckland City FC of New Zealand on Dec 10th 2006, Aboutrika helped Al-Ahly to secure and book a semi-final date with Internacional of Brazil. Al-Ahly won 2-0 easily, and Aboutrika capped a fine display by stroking a superbly flighted free-kick over the wall scoring the second goal for his team. As well as netting with his delightful right-foot effort, Aboutrika was at the heart of most his side's best moves, dictating the rhythm with his skill and vision.

In the semi-finals, Al-Ahly faced Brazilian Internacional on December 13, 2006, and Aboutrika played a good game, but his accurate shot hit the Brazilian right-hand post to deprive his team from a deserved draw. Al-Ahly lost the match 2-1, but proved a good efficiency, yet the ball refused to be netted in many available chances to score in Brazilian goalkeeper.'Match Report'

Al-Ahly faced Club América of Mexico, for the third place, and Aboutrika gave Al-Ahly the lead with an amazing free-kick over the wall, ending the first half 1-0 for Al-Ahly. In the second half, America made the draw, but as usual, Aboutrika appears in the 79th minute with a skilled ball, he showed yet again why he is on the shortlist for the African player of the year. After surging out of midfield and finding Flavio Amado with a pinpoint pass, the mercurial playmaker latched on to the Angolan's return ball and calmly slotted the ball past Mexican goalkeeper for his third goal of the tournament. Al-Ahly won the third place, after Aboutrika lifted his team to an unprecedented result for the Egyptian club or any African outfit. Personally, he became the top scorer of tournament by 3 goals in 3 matches.

Aboutrika won all the competitions he participated in this year, and got the bronze medal for Al-Ahly in FIFA Club World Championship 2006. He was the top scorer in three competitions, which are FIFA Club World Championship 2006 with 3 goals, Egyptian League with 18 goals and CAF Champions League 2006 with 8 goals. Aboutrika scored in other competitions, and made brilliant assistants to strikers.

African Footballer of the Year 2006

Aboutrika, who is Egypt's newest idol according to the FIFA.com expression, was nominated to win the 2006 CAF African Footballer of the Year award. Mohamed Aboutrika had been nominated for the Award along with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o. The other nominees for the honour were Ghana international midfielder Michael Essien, who plays for English Giants Chelsea, and Nigeria's Nwankwo Kanu, who has twice grabbed the award. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony which was scheduled to be staged in Nigeria on the January 18, but has been postponed to March 1 2007 and the new venue was in Accra, Ghana.

Aboutrika said in November 2006: 'I would love to be nominated for the CAF Best Player award. That would make 2006 a very special year!'.

Aboutrika was the only African based player between nominees, but he is also the only one who made an achievement for his national team this year by winning African Cup of Nations 2006. Aboutrika's brace in FIFA Club World Cup 2006 and his dazzling performances throughout the season made him a serious contender for the CAF African Footballer of the Year award (as well as the BBC one) and secured his standing as Egypt's most popular personality. He did not win the prize but got second place and later was given "best inter-club player" and "best player in the African Champions League."

"Aboutrika has won the highest prize any person can achieve, that is the love of the people," sports columnist Hassan Mistikawi wrote in the top-selling state-owned Al-Ahram daily.

Al-Ahly Portuguese coach Manuel José de Jesus describes Aboutrika as "the best football player in Africa". He said that Aboutrika has more and more skills that didn't appear in Japan. He said: "Aboutrika didn't introduce all what he has in FIFA Club World Cup 2006, but he got the top scorer title and helped leading his team to the third place". Jose sees Aboutrika as one of the best players he ever trained. He assured this meaning saying: "Aboutrika is priceless for us. I can't imagine my team without him".

2007

In 2007, Al-Ahly won the Egyptian League (2006-2007) for the third successive season. Aboutrika scored 7 goals for his team, although he was injured. Al-Ahly won the Egyptian Soccer Cup 2007 for the second successive time. Aboutrika was the top goalscorer of the competition with 4 goals. He scored a double kick memorable goal against El-Geish in the 8-round game which ended 3-1 for Al-Ahly. In the final, Al-Ahly faced his rival El-Zamalek. Aboutrika made a one neck-saving equalizer in the last 2 minutes on July 2 2007 in the Egyptian Soccer Cup resulting in extra-time after tying 2-2. After El-Zamalek grabbed their third in the first half of extra-time, Aboutrika dazzeled the stands with two great balls, one an assisted cross over the whites' defense to Osama Hosny to score the equalizer in second half of extra-time in the first seconds of the game and within a minute, he surged between the Zamalek's midfield and passed two Zamalek players before providing an accurate through pass to Ahmad Sedik on the wing who went through on goal and assisted again for Osama Hosny for the late winner and holding high the Egyptian Cup. After that, Al-Ahly won the Egyptian Super Cup 2007 for the third successive time, through shootouts, after tying 1-1 with Ismaily.

In CAF Champions League 2007, Aboutrika scored 4 goals for Al-Ahly until now, to raise his African goals to the number 15. Al-Ahly facedÉtoile Sportive du Sahel of Tunisia in the final match. Al-Ahly was having the chance to be the first team in the World to reach FIFA Club World Championship three successive times, and the first team in Africa to win CAF Champions League three successive times. However, the two legs ended seeing Étoile Sportive du Sahel of Tunisia lifting the cup.

He won the title Best Player in Egypt four successive times 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, which is a personal Egyptian record, of the award given by the Egyptian Football Association.

2008

African Cup of Nations 2008

In 2008, Aboutrika scored 4 goals for his national team Egypt in the African Cup of Nations Ghana 2008. He scored the winning goal against Cameroon in the final match, helping Egypt to win the African Cup of Nations for the second consecutive tournament. Aboutrika also scored a goal in the semi-final against Ivory Coast, and scored twice against Sudan in Egypt's group stage match.

About Trika's goal in the final match promotes his place as a hard-times man. In the previous tournament Egypt 2006, he scored the latest decisive penalty shootout in the final match against Ivory Coast to give Egypt the cup. With his team Al-Ahly of Egypt, Aboutrika was the hero of final matches again, through scoring a goal in the final match second leg both CAF Champions League 2006 and CAF Champions League 2005, to help his team to lift the continental cup. All this memorable final matches sets Aboutrika in a chief place among African talented players.

Aboutrika presents a high performance in Ghana 2008 final match, and nominated the best player in the game. As FIFA.COM says, Egypt's second consecutive African title should come as no surprise. Hassan Shehata's side have been far-and-away the most complete side on the continent over the last two years. And just to underline their regional superiority, the Pharaohs also boast some of Africa's most talented players, chief among them their 30-year-old playmaker Mohamed Aboutrika. That such an exceptionally talented player continues to play his artful trade in the Egyptian league remains a mystery to many, and in the wake of another flawless performance in Sunday's final in Accra that mystery is set to deepen. The heartbeat of the North African side, Aboutrika was simply irrepressible as he spurred his country to victory.

"It's a wonderful feeling to win this Cup twice in a row," said the man himself after the final whistle had blown. "It feels even better to win it away from home. We already had an excellent team in 2006, but since then we've had some very talented players come into the squad and they have helped give us a lot more experience. We've also been working together for a long time with the same coach, and in a way my team-mates in the national side have become my second family."

The No22 dictated the pace of events at the Ohene Djan Stadium right from the kick-off. In response to Cameroon's lightning attacks, Egypt knocked the ball around in typically polished style, with Aboutrika setting the tempo in the heart of midfield and prompting his side forward. On 13 minutes he was the first to go close for the reigning champions as Idriss Kameni pushed his drive round the post for a corner. He was in the thick of things again moments later, firing over the bar after a fine move involving Amr Zaki and Emad Moteab.

With the Cameroonian Lions proving as indomitable as ever, however, the two-time CAF Champions League winner duly dropped back to help his defence channel the ball forward.

His long ball from deep then set Moteab away, but Kameni was on hand to snuff out the danger, and the Espanyol keeper needed to be alert again just before the break when Aboutrika picked out Zaki superbly on the left.

Serving notice yet again of his instinctive positional sense, the Egyptian schemer slowly began to unpick the Cameroonian rearguard. With his innate ability to read a game, he urged his team-mates on, continually reminding them where they needed to be. With 66 minutes gone he swung a deliciously teasing cross to the far post only for Hosny Abd Rabo, the player of the tournament, to find the post with his header.

The king of the Pharaohs was in no mood to be denied, however, and duly delivered the decisive blow with just 13 minutes left. Following an Egyptian counter-attack down the left, Mohamed Zidan wrestled the ball from Rigobert Song and delivered a pass into the path of the unmarked Aboutrika, who, timing his run into the box to perfection, slotted the ball past the exposed Kameni.

"Scoring for my country is even more important than scoring for my club", commented the match-winner. "When I saw the ball hit the back of the net I knew I would be making the whole country happy, and that's something I'm very proud of." .

FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualifiers

After the friendly match against Argentina, Aboutrika had an injury which deprived him from being a member along the national team in the first 4 matches played in June, in FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualifiers. He marked his national return against Congo DR in Kinshasa on September 7, 2008 scoring the winning goal for Egypt, to secure the Pharaohs' place in the second round of Qualifications. He scored another goal in his second match in the qualifiers against Djibouti.

Al-Ahly

Aboutrika has rehealed from injury in August, after missing the group stage start of CAF Champions League 2008 with his team Al-Ahly. He marked his first participation in the group stage scoring the winning goal for Al-Ahly on 93rd minute against Dynamos F.C. of Zimbabwe in a 8 round game ended 2-1 for the Egyptian side. On August 30, he helped Al-Ahly to grab the 3 points from Zimbabwe, after making the winning goal, scored by his favourite teammate Mohamed Barakat. Al-Ahly achieved 1-0 win. On September 14, Aboutrika scored the second goal for Al-Ahly against the rivals Al-Zamalek of Egypt, in a group game ended 2-2.

Aboutrika scored again in the final group match against ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast, a game ended 2-2 as Aboutrika netted the first goal for Al-Ahly. A draw sealed first place in Group A for Al-Ahly with 12 points from six matches while Dynamos of Zimbabwe joined them in the semi-finals of the 3.5-million-dollar competition. .

Al Ahly of Egypt clashed with Enyimba of Nigeria in the semi-final, the first leg of which was held on October 5 in Aba, Nigeria, and ended with a draw 0-0. The second leg held on 18 October in Cairo and ended 1-0 for Al-Ahly.

Al Ahly faced Cotonsport Garoua of Cameroon in the final, the first leg of which was held on November 2 and ended 2-0 for the Egyptian side. Al Ahly drew 2-2 with Coton Sport in Cameroon to complete a 4-2 aggregate victory and lift the CAF Champions League trophy for a record sixth time; a result which ensured they will compete at the FIFA Club World Cup for the third time in four years.

African Footballer of the Year 2008

Mohamed Aboutrika (Al-Ahly, Egypt), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal, Togo), Amr Zaki (Wigan Athletic, Egypt), Didier Drogba (Chelsea F.C., Cote d'Ivoire) and Michael Essien (Chelsea F.C., Ghana) make up the shortlist for the Glo-CAF African Footballer of the Year across the world..

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday in Lagos, Nigeria, announced the final shortlist of categories for the Glo-CAF Awards 2008. The final three for the title was decided following votes from the head coaches of the 53 national associations affiliated to CAF.

For the topmost honour, Glo-CAF Player of the Year across the world, the contenders are Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo), Michael Essien (Chelsea and Ghana) and Mohamed Aboutrika (Al-Ahly and Egypt).

The shortlist for the Glo-CAF Best Player on the Continent are Mohamed Aboutrika (Al-Ahly, Egypt), Ahmed Hassan (Al-Ahly, Egypt), Flavio Amado (Al-Ahly, Angola).

The winner of the two categories will be announced at the awards gala on February 10, in Lagos, Nigeria. .

BBC African Footballer of the Year 2008

Mohamed Aboutrika has been crowned the 2008 BBC African Footballer of the Year. He won after taking more than half of the total ballot.

Mohamed Aboutrika has been nominated for the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2008 due to his performance with the Egyptian National Team as well as Al-Ahly. Mohamed Aboutrika has been nomianted alongside teammate, Amr Zaki (Wigan Athletic, Egypt), Didier Drogba (Chelsea F.C., Cote d' Ivoire), Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona F.C., Cameroon), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal F.C., Togo)..

2009

Confederations Cup 2009

Aboutrika was a member in Egypt football national team line-up in 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Egypt falls in Group B along with Brazil, Italy and USA.

Egypt started with Brazil on June 15th, a game ended 4-3 for the Brazilian side. Aboutrika assisted Egypt's two goals, to his team mate Mohamed Zidan who scored twice.

The Italian sports journalist Gabriele Marcotti has also been highly impressed with Aboutrika's performance against Brazil, and praised Aboutrika's career with football in general.

He is possibly the greatest footballer in the history of the world with a bachelor's diploma in philosophy hanging on the wall of his sitting room. He is arguably the best footballer on Earth not playing his trade in Europe or South America. and Does staying in Egypt make him gutless and unambitious because he won't measure himself against the world's best on a regular basis? Or, in fact, should he be admired for remaining loyal to his homeland, simply being happy with what he has achieved and not feeling the need to chase the glamour and millions of the Premier League or La Liga?.

Egypt faced Italy on June 18, a game ended with a victory 1-0 for Egypt. Aboutrika assisted Egypt's goal, to his team mate Mohamed Soliman "Homos" who scored with a header.

In the last round of the group phase, Egypt faced the U.S. Based on earlier performances, the Egyptians were expected to thrash the Americans who suffered big losses against Brazil and Italy. However, having suffered from several injuries, 3 during the game, the Egyptian team failed to find any rhythm that proplled their earlier results. In a shocking turn of events, the U.S. scored 3 goals and completely shut out the African Champions. With Brazil vs. Italy game ending 3-0 for the South Americans, Egypt needed but one goal to secure their semi-final birth. That goal was never to come.

More importantly, the fall out from the Egypt-U.S game tore the Egyptian team apart. Having just beaten the world champions and displaying superior samba skills vs. Brazil, there was no obvious reason for Egypt to draw, let alone, lose against the Americans. At least thats how Egyptian media and football pundits believed. As soon as the whistle blew, Amr Adeeb, a popular host of an Egyptian talk show, furnished reports from the UK and South Africa that claim that the Egyptian stars had been robbed of $2,400 USD, taken from their hotel rooms by hookers invited to celebrate their win over Italy. Although, there has yet to surface any concrete evidence of the tabloid claims, the Egyptian players were furious with such an accusation. It is hard to quantify, as the Egyptian public likely were divided between the national team and Amr Adeeb, dealing a sever blow to the unity of the national team.

Mohamed Abotrike, the most widely respected player in Egypt, called Amr Adib on the air, and told him the story was false and that the tv host should refrain from spreading filthy propaganda against his nation's soccer team. Abotrika took a leadership role in calling other talk show hosts denying the story and promoting the virtues of the Egyptian team, who wake up everyday at dawn for morning prayers, according to Abotrike. Amr Adeeb said he would never interrupt or oppose Abotrika, but continued to harass the Egyptian players with further accusations.

In response to the aforementioned events, Abotrika, threatened to boycott the Egyptian National Squad and demanded that the Egyptian FA acquire the full apology of Amr Adeeb. Adeeb later apologized the following day on his talk show, saying that his emotions as a football fan took the best out of him, and that he should have checked the credibility of the news, The Sunday Sun of South Africa (the tabloid that broke the news of the hookers) later apologizied for the story claiming that their sources lied to them.

Abotrika, later played in Egypt's world cup qualifier against Rwanda, helping the Pharos win 3-0, and scored the first and the third goal, making the Egyptian team second after Algeria in their group.

Personal life

Aboutrika is a graduate of Cairo University with a bachelor of arts degree in Philosophy. . He is married and has twins, Ahmed and Seif.

After winning the title of African Champions League 2006 for Al-Ahly, he gave a declaration which had been chosen by many newspapers and programs as 'The Declaration of the year'. When newspapers reporters praised him and his goal which they considered the main reason for winning the tournament, he replied, "We need to stop this habit of praising a definite player. It isn't Aboutrika, but the whole team who got the Cup. Without the others' efforts, I can't ever make anything. Football is a game played by many players, it isn't Tennis or Squash."

Hassan El-Shazli, the former famous Egyptian player, was the first one to discover Aboutrika's talent and develop it. He narrates a story about Aboutrika's manners when he was in Tersana. He said that when the chairman of Tersana club want Aboutrika and a team-mate defender to sign their new contracts, he put a very high salary for Aboutrika compared to that of his team-mate, but Aboutrika refused to sign, and insisted to take the same salary as his team-mate although it was much lower. El-Shazli's attempts failed to persuade Aboutrika that his role for the club is much greater than this defender, and finally, Aboutrika insisted on equality and signed his contract as lower as his team-mate.

As his soccer star status grew in Africa, he turned his sights to humanitarian issues. Aboutrika says:

“Every athlete has a humanitarian role in society. He doesn't live solely for himself, but for others too. I like to participate in charity work and try my best to help the poor and penniless. I'm also seeking to use soccer in humanitarian work."

Based on that idea, Aboutrika joined UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors the Brazilian player Ronaldo, and French player, Zinedine Zidane, in addition to 40 international soccer stars in 2005 for a ‘Match Against Poverty’ in Germany, with the aim of raising funds and increasing awareness about the issue worldwide. He scored in that match.

“In that humanitarian match, sports people said ‘no to poverty’ in one strong voice, standing up to beat it once and for all," Aboutrika explains. The match was held in Düsseldorf, Germany with the support of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association FIFA.

One of Aboutrika’s soccer role models, is the Egyptian player, Mahmoud El Khatib. Meanwhile, off the pitch he follows the example of the Prophet Mohammed.

He volunteered to appear in a WFP 30-second Public Service Announcement (PSA) in which he draws attention to the tragic fact that 25,000 people die from hunger every day, 18,000 of them children.

“Hunger takes away a child every five seconds. We have to move immediately and lend each other a hand because every second counts. This is a game we have to win,” says Aboutrika in the PSA. The PSA is being aired on Middle Eastern TV stations which are broadcasting it for free.

Aboutrika is a WFP Ambassador Against Hunger. He believes that poverty is a double-edged sword, as it can either give rise to feelings of despair, or help the poor person to persevere and be determined. Aboutrika wishes that all those who suffer from despair could develop determination and face their difficulties with strength.

"Islam deals with the problem of poverty through zakat (spending a fixed portion of one's wealth for the poor or needy), where the rich feel the plight of the poor," says Aboutrika. "We have to help the poor as much as we can so that they don’t feel alienated in their own society" he says.

Aboutrika volunteered for another PSA in Egypt, for helping children with cancer. He made it for free, and donated funds to help build a hospital for them.

In January 2007, Aboutrika led the Blood Donation Campaign held by Egyptian Ministry of Health. He appeared in PSAs for free and donated with his blood.

"Sympathize with Gaza"

After scoring a goal in Egypt's 1-0 over Sudan in the 2008 African Cup of Nations Aboutrika removed his jersey to show a T-shirt reading "Sympathize with Gaza". He was protesting against Israel's 10-day blockade of Gaza. He was given a yellow card for breaking FIFA's rule against displaying political slogans during play, and was said to face possible further sanctions, but finally CAF made no punishments.

Aboutrika initially did not want to discuss the issue, but he broke his silence and spoke exclusively Al Jazeera's Carrie Brown. He said that his action was a personal statement from himself, as he feels quite sympathy with children of Gaza Strip who are under siege, he feels sorry for their starving and suffering, and has many worries about their safety. Aboutrika affirmed for the Egyptian Football Federation that he is responsible for any problems appearing on surface .

Some Arab commentators describes this yellow card as a 'honourable punishment' for any athlete. In Gaza, Palestinian people went out, raising Aboutrika's photos thanking him and appreciating his act. The same scene was replied after the final match, when Aboutrika scored the winning goal for Egypt, many Palestinians went out to celebrate the victory and singing for Aboutrika. Al-Hilal club in the Gaza Strip made an honouring ceremony for Aboutrika, where youth team players lift flags reading "Palestine loves Aboutrika", "Aboutrika is my ideal", "Aboutrika, the humanitarian player..Gaza won't forget you" and "Aboutrika, an example of freedom and dignity". Youth team players were wearing Aboutrika's No22.

Honours

National Team

• Winner of African Cup of Nations Ghana 2008 playing for Egypt.
• Winner of African Cup of Nations Egypt 2006 playing for Egypt.

Club

• Bronze Medalist at FIFA Club World Cup 2006
• Winner of CAF Champions League (2005) , (2006) , (2008).
• Winner of Egyptian League : (2004-2005) , (2005-2006) , (2006-2007) , (2007-2008),(2008-2009).
• Winner of African Super Cup (2006), (2007), (2009).
• Winner of Egyptian Soccer Cup (2006) , (2007).
• Winner of Egyptian Super Cup (2005) , (2006) , (2007) , (2008).

Individual

• Came 2nd in the 2008 CAF African Footballer of the Year award.
• Nominated for the 2006 CAF African Footballer of the Year award.
• Winner of the 2008 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.
• Nominated for the 2006 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.
• Winner of the 2008 CAF Best African player in Club Competitions.
• Winner of the 2006 CAF Best African player in Club Competitions.
• The World's most Popular Footballer amongst active Players in 2008 (IFFHS).
• The World's most Popular Footballer amongst active Players in 2007 (IFFHS).
• Top scorer in the FIFA Club World Cup 2006 with 3 goals.
• Top scorer in the CAF Champions League 2006 with 8 goals.
• Top scorer in the Egyptian League (2005-2006) with 18 goals.
• Top scorer in the Egyptian Soccer Cup (2007) with 4 goals.
• Best Player in Egypt (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008).
• Named in the CAF Starting XI in the CAN Egypt 2006.
• Named in the CAF Starting XI in the CAN Ghana 2008.
• Man of the final match in the 2008 African Cup of Nations after scoring the winning goal.
• Winner of the 2008 CAF Best African player in Club Competitions.
• Winner of the 2006 CAF Best African player in Club Competitions.
• The World's most Popular Footballer amongst active Players in 2008 (IFFHS).
• The World's most Popular Footballer amongst active Players in 2007 (IFFHS).
• Top scorer in the FIFA Club World Cup 2006 with 3 goals.
• Top scorer in the CAF Champions League 2006 with 8 goals.
• Top scorer in the Egyptian League (2005-2006) with 18 goals.
• Top scorer in the Egyptian Soccer Cup (2007) with 4 goals.
• Best Player in Egypt (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008).
• Named in the CAF Starting XI in the CAN Egypt 2006.
• Named in the CAF Starting XI in the CAN Ghana 2008.
• Named in the CAF Best XI in 2006, 2008.
• Man of the final match in the 2008 African Cup of Nations after scoring the winning goal.

Other references

• FIFA.com: Aboutrika, Egypt's crown prince (10 Feb 2008)
• FIFA.com: Fab five to fight it out(05 Dec 2006)
• FIFA.com: CAF African Footballer of the Year
• FIFA.com: Interview with Aboutrika (06 Dec 2006)
• FIFA.com: Another Interview with Aboutrika (08 Nov 2006)
• BBC: Ahly win Egyptian Super Cup
• BBC: Ahly retain African title
• FIFA.com: Al-Ahly make fast start against Auckland City FC
• FIFA.com: Aboutrika the star as Al Ahly grab third
• FIFA.com: Egypt celebrates Al Ahly achievement