Ahly's long-serving captain Hossam Ashour said he is yet undecided about his future after the club's recent announcement that he wouldn't feature in their plans for the next season.

On 20 March, Ahly announced that Swiss coach Rene Weiler does not intend to rely on the veteran 34-year-old midfielder who has won the most titles in the club's history.

The Cairo giants left Ashour, whose contract runs out at the end of the season, choosing between either leaving Ahly or hanging up his boots with an option to work at the club in the future, after taking managerial courses abroad.

"All the news about my next step are just rumours. I didn't take my final decision yet," Ashour, who announced that he was shocked after Ahly's announcement of his departure, told On Time Sports TV channel.

"When I take the decision I will announce it by myself publicly," he added.

Ashour, best known for closing down spaces and robbing opponents with his acclaimed defensive abilities, was one of Ahly's key players during a glorious era that saw the club dominate domestic and African titles from 2005 to 2013.

He came through the club's youth ranks in 2003 and went on to help them to 12 Egyptian Premier League titles, three Egyptian Cups and five African Champions League trophies, among other accolades.

Ashour, who made over 500 appearances with Ahly, believes that he still has a lot to offer in football, but says the current suspension of all football activities in Egypt due to the worldwide coronavirus crisis gives him extra time to think about his future.

"I have many offers from inside and outside Egypt. I wasn't a troublemaker throughout my 16-year career with Ahly, and I was loyal to the club, and that was the secret behind my success," he explained.

"I was playing regularly last season, so how come that I think of retirement after just one season away from the pitch? I can play for another three seasons.

"I didn't undergo even a single surgery through my career with Ahly. This doesn't mean that I am not thinking also of Ahly's retirement offer. But I still have time to decide my future.

"The current coronavirus crisis and being obliged to stay at home gave me a chance to think more before taking the final decision," he concluded. 

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