On Monday, Al Ahly announced that Ali Maaloul has undergone successful Achilles tendon surgery. The operation was performed by a leading specialist, and Maaloul will rest for two weeks before beginning his rehabilitation program.
Ali Maaloul joined Al Ahly on July 25, 2016, from Tunisian club CS Sfaxien. Since then, he has become one of Al Ahly's legendary players, amassing a significant fan base among the Red Castle's supporters. Maaloul has played 287 matches for Al Ahly across various competitions, scoring 51 goals and providing 83 assists—the highest tally for a foreign player in the club's history. His contributions have also made him the top assist provider in Al Ahly's history.
Throughout his career with Al Ahly, Maaloul has won 19 local and African titles and three bronze medals in the FIFA Club World Cup.
As Maaloul begins his recovery, Al Ahly is preparing for the second leg of the CAF Champions League final against Tunisian club Espérance Sportive de Tunis, scheduled for 8 PM next Saturday at Cairo International Stadium. Al Ahly secured their spot in the final by eliminating TP Mazembe with a 3-0 aggregate win, while Espérance advanced by defeating Mamelodi Sundowns with two 1-0 victories.
The 2023-2024 CAF Champions League final marks the 18th time in the competition's history that two Arab teams have faced each other in the final and the third consecutive all-Arab final. Al Ahly previously faced Espérance in the finals of 2012 and 2018. In 2012, Al Ahly drew 1-1 at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria and won 2-1 in Rades. In the 2018 final, Al Ahly won 3-1 at Borg El Arab but lost 0-3 in Rades.