Speaking to ON Sport 1 on Monday, Ashour downplayed speculation about his contract situation, reaffirmed his commitment to the Cairo-based club, and reflected on his personal growth since joining the powerhouse.
“What’s stopping Ahly from winning the Club World Cup? Whether we face Real Madrid or anyone else, it’s eleven against eleven. We have history and big names just like they do,” Ashour said.
The 26-year-old, who has two years remaining on his contract, revealed that no renewal talks have occurred.
He denied prioritizing financial gain but acknowledged that salary discussions are part of a player’s sense of value.
“I don’t care about being the highest paid. But every player wants to feel appreciated—numbers can reflect that,” he explained.
Ashour, who previously played in Denmark with FC Midtjylland, said a return to Europe, ideally to England or Spain, remains a goal.
“I learned a lot during my time at Midtjylland—it’s not just about football ability. If I get a good offer from Europe, why not?” he said.
The former Zamalek player also addressed the challenges of crossing the fierce Cairo divide, stressing his respect for both fan bases and maintaining close ties with former teammates, including Ahmed “Zizo” Sayed.
“Football today is more professional—transfers happen. My relationship with Zizo is very strong. He’s like a brother,” Ashour said, adding that talk of deep divides between Ahly and Zamalek players is often exaggerated.
He admitted that off-pitch distractions affected his focus early in his career but said he has matured and is now fully dedicated to training and competition.
“There were mistakes, and some criticism was fair. But my mentality is different now,” Ashour reflected.
He cited Ahly’s elimination from the CAF Champions League by Mamelodi Sundowns as one of the most painful moments of his career.
“I cried after that match. We were one step away from the final. It was the hardest moment in football for me,” he said.
He also denied any tension with veteran Zamalek captain Mahmoud “Shikabala” Abdel-Razek, describing him as having “a pure heart,” and reaffirmed his readiness to represent Egypt under new coach Hossam Hassan.
“It was a dream to play under Hossam. I’ll always be ready for the national team. I’ve learned that questioning the coach is always a mistake,” he said.
As Ahly prepare for the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, Ashour’s confidence signals the club’s high ambitions ahead of a demanding campaign.
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