The world of football will witness a rare encounter today, namely between Al-Ahly, the Arab region’s and Africa’s most celebrated football team, and Real Madrid, by far the most famous team in Europe.
The two teams will face off at Moulay Abdullah Stadium in Morocco, in the semi-final of the Club World Cup.
Spanish Ambassador to Cairo, Alvaro Iranzo, described the match as a ‘meeting of champions’.
“They are the champions of the most popular game on our two continents,” Ambassador Iranzo said. “This is an event that is yet another example of close relations between Spain and Egypt, in particular, and between Africa and Europe, in general.”
He added that throughout its history of 116 years, Al-Ahlywon over 140 titles.
This is an achievement, he said, that makes the club the most successful in sports history.
“Al-Ahly also participated seven times in the Club World Cup, having won the bronze medal in three of them,” the ambassador said.
This is not the first time Al-Ahly and Real Madrid meet. The two teams had two friendlies in the past period.
In 1961, the Spanish team won 4-0, and in 2001, Al-Ahly won 1-0, bringing the two teams to a tie situation historically.
Ambassador Iranzo said Real Madrid is also the team that has lifted the Uefa Champions League trophy 14 times.
Real Madrid also won the Club World Cup four times, and throughout its history collected about 101 titles in all competitions.
Sport, he said, is a vital matter for human development, a means through which peoples share the values of camaraderie and healthy competition, and stimulate development and progress.
“Sports, especially football, bring us closer as peoples, bring together Egypt and Spain, and unite the cultures of the world,” the Spanish ambassador said. “Football is also a wonderful source of entertainment.”
