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Balotelli Scores On Return, El Shenawy Extends At Al Ahly And Ghaly Reflects On Salah Level

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Augustus Media FZ LLC
September 29, 2026

 

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From Mario Balotelli’s UAE comeback to Mohamed El Shenawy’s Al Ahly renewal and Hossam Ghaly reflecting on his European career, there’s plenty happening across regional sport. Balotelli scored on his Al Ittifaq return despite their President’s Cup exit, El Shenawy has extended his Al Ahly contract until 2028, and Ghaly says he could have reached Mohamed Salah’s level in Europe.

Balotelli Scores On Al Ittifaq Return

What Is It About
Mario Balotelli marked his return with a goal, but it was not enough to keep Al Ittifaq’s President’s Cup run alive. The 36-year-old made his first competitive appearance of the 2026/27 season after injury, coming off the bench against Al Orooba and scoring deep into stoppage time.

Why It Matters
Al Ittifaq lost 2-1 in the preliminary quarter-finals, ending their route into the main President’s Cup. Only two UAE First Division clubs will advance through the preliminary knockout stage to join the ADNOC Pro League clubs in the Round of 16.

What’s Next
For Balotelli, the result was disappointing, but his season has finally begun. After being sidelined by injury, his first appearance of the campaign at least ended with a goal.

El Shenawy Extends Al Ahly Contract

What Is It About
Mohamed El Shenawy is staying at Al Ahly after the club officially extended their captain’s contract until the end of the 2027/28 season. The new deal adds another two years to his second spell with the Cairo giants, which began in 2016.

Why It Matters
El Shenawy has won 24 trophies since returning to Al Ahly, including four CAF Champions League titles and seven Egyptian league titles. The extension could keep him at the club until just before his 40th birthday.

What’s Next
The announcement comes days after the controversy around Hossam Hassan’s comments about the goalkeeper. Al Ahly publicly defended their captain before Hassan clarified that he had not intended to diminish El Shenawy.

Hossam Ghaly Says He Could Have Reached Salah’s Level

What Is It About
Hossam Ghaly believes his European career could have taken him to the same heights Mohamed Salah later reached. Speaking on ON Sport, the former Egypt and Tottenham midfielder said his agent once called him during his Spurs spell to say Manchester United were monitoring him.

Why It Matters
Ghaly joined Tottenham from Feyenoord in 2006 and said he loved playing football in England. He also admitted that if he could go back, he would not have ended his European career when he did.

What’s Next
Reflecting on his career, Ghaly said: “I could have reached the level Mohamed Salah reached. Why not?” The comments add another layer to how one of Egypt’s biggest midfield names looks back on his time in Europe.

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