Rumors regarding the future of Al Ahly’s veteran goalkeeper surfaced during the national team’s September training camp. Media reports suggested that differences in viewpoint between El-Shennawy and Egypt manager Hossam Hassan prompted the goalkeeper to consider stepping away from international duty.
Disagreements and Absence Fuel International Retirement Speculation
Media figure Ibrahim Abdel Gawad revealed in radio statements that Mohamed El-Shennawy is studying international retirement due to recent disagreements with Egypt national team manager Hossam Hassan, pointing out that certain differences in points of view were the reason that pushed the international goalkeeper to think about this matter. The recent Egypt national team roster saw Mohamed El-Shennawy omitted from the squad due to an injury that befell him during the past period, after the club announced in an official statement that the goalkeeper suffered a muscular injury. Mohamed El-Shennawy participated in two matches with Al Ahly before the international break against Al Mokawloon Al Arab and Abu Qir Fertilizers. Egypt’s first match against its counterpart Angola in the opening round of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers is scheduled to take place at Cairo International Stadium next Friday.
Clarifying the Goalkeeper’s Future Intentions
Countering the retirement rumors, an official source directly contradicted claims that a permanent international exit is imminent. Speaking without attribution to a specific name, a source denied what has been circulated regarding Al Ahly captain Mohamed El-Shennawy’s intention to retire internationally due to a dispute with Egypt national team manager Hossam Hassan. The source, who refused to state his name, stated: El-Shennawy will not retire internationally at the present time and the idea is not on the table to begin with.
The same source emphasized that the player intends to make a comeback and resume defending the colors of the national team once he recovers from his physical setback, adding that El-Shennawy seeks to return anew and defend the colors of the Egypt national team.
Upcoming Fixtures and Recovery Timeline
El-Shennawy’s current absence stems from an injury that befell him, causing him to miss the Egypt national team camp. Prior to the injury, he made two domestic appearances for Al Ahly against Al Mokawloon Al Arab and Abu Qir Fertilizers.
The national team is currently holding a closed training camp during the period from September 21 until October 6, within the framework of preparations for upcoming fixtures. Egypt participates in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers within Group B, which includes the national teams of Angola, South Sudan, and Malawi. The Pharaohs meet Angola and South Sudan on September 25 and 29, within the competitions of the qualifiers leading to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. Egypt also plays a friendly match against South Africa during the upcoming international break, taking place at nine in the evening on October 4 at Cairo International Stadium.
