Tunisian midfielder Mohamed Ali Ben Ramadan has revealed that a lack of regular playing time at Al Ahly was the main reason behind his decision to leave the Egyptian giants for Qatar’s Al Shamal last summer.
The former Espérance de Tunis midfielder said he had hoped to establish himself at Al Ahly after joining the club, but limited opportunities and a difficult season ultimately pushed him towards a move that promised more time on the pitch.
Speaking to Qatari broadcaster Al Kass, Ben Ramadan acknowledged Al Ahly’s stature and ambitions, explaining that those qualities initially convinced him to make the switch to Egypt.
“Al Ahly is a great team that plays for championships and has great ambitions, and that is why I took the step of moving to it,” he said.
The midfielder also admitted that leaving Espérance was not an easy decision because of his relationship with the Tunisian club’s supporters.
“Of course, the move was somewhat difficult because of the Esperance fans, who have done a lot for me, but I chose the sporting project because I am a player who was raised with a professional mentality,” he added.
However, his time in Cairo did not develop as expected. Ben Ramadan said he struggled to get enough opportunities to demonstrate his abilities, while Al Ahly endured a challenging period that affected the club’s players, supporters and management.
“I didn’t get my full opportunity at Al Ahly. The club went through a very difficult year for the fans, players and management, and they weren’t used to this atmosphere,” he said.
Despite his frustrations, the Tunisian international expressed confidence in Al Ahly’s ability to recover from difficult periods.
“But Al Ahly always comes back and corrects its course. I lived through a difficult year, and then the offer from Al Shamal came. I agreed because I wanted to play and participate,” he explained.
Ben Ramadan also praised Al Ahly’s management for the way it handled his departure, describing the negotiations as professional and saying the club wished him well.
His comments underline the importance of regular playing time in his decision to move to Qatar, where he will look to secure a more consistent role and rebuild momentum in his career.
