Mohamed Barakat has informed Ahli board that he has decided to retire from football at the end of the season, the African champions said. The 36-year-old, who runs out of contract this summer, made his decision despite persistent calls from his club to sign a new deal. Ahli said on their website that Barakat told football director Sayed Abdul-Hafiz about his decision to quit football in a meeting on Tuesday. "Barakat has officially informed me about his decision to quit after the domestic season ends," Abdul-Hafiz said. "Despite all our attempts to convince him not to retire, Barakat wants to end his career while he is in top form." Still a key player for Ahli, Barakat has been one of the Reds' top players during the past decade, guiding the Cairo giants to a superb seven Egyptian league and three Champions League titles in nine years. He was a key member of Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations triumphant campaign in 2006, having made around 70 caps for his nation.
