Ahmed Shobeir dismisses speculation over son’s reported Spanish interest
Former Egypt international and media figure Ahmed Shobeir has addressed growing reports linking his son, Mostafa Shobeir, with a potential move to Spain, insisting that no official offer has been made.
The speculation emerged following the goalkeeper’s impressive performance for the Egypt national football team in a recent friendly match against Spain, which ended goalless. His display drew attention from sections of the Spanish media, prompting reports of interest from several clubs.
Speaking on On Sport FM radio, Ahmed Shobeir sought to clarify the situation, emphasising that the reported links remain unconfirmed.
“I have to talk about this issue. Spanish press reports stated that Valencia will not activate the purchase clause for goalkeeper Julen Agirzabala, and he will return to Athletic Bilbao, while continuing to have confidence in goalkeeper Stol Dimitrievski, in parallel with the search for a young goalkeeper with promising capabilities and a reasonable cost.”
He explained that, within this context, his son’s name had been mentioned as a potential candidate fitting such criteria.
“Here, the name of Mustafa Shobeir began to be mentioned as being in line with the club’s policy, and he was also linked to clubs such as Getafe and Almeria, but all of that remains within the realm of media talk.”
No formal approach despite earlier contact
Shobeir made it clear that, in his view, discussions about transfers should only be taken seriously when formal offers are presented to a player’s club.
“For me, as long as no official offers reach the club that any player plays for, everything that is said is considered mere media speculation, and it is no longer appropriate to call it (newspaper talk), but rather it is information circulating through websites and social media.”
He did, however, acknowledge that there had been previous interest from Spain, though it did not progress beyond initial discussions.
“Earlier, there was a Spanish offer through the player’s agency, and officials from Spain attended. The matter was discussed with Captain Mohamed Youssef, who was in the position of sporting director, and at that time the decision was made that the player was not available for sale.”
At present, he stressed, no new developments have occurred.
“So far, there is nothing new, and everything that is being said is just speculation that may be right or wrong.”
Focus on development over transfer hype
Beyond addressing the rumours, Shobeir also outlined his broader perspective on player development and transfers, particularly for young footballers considering moves abroad.
“When we talk about the professionalism of any player such as Mostafa Shobeir, Mohamed Sobhi or Hossam Abdel-Maguid, the goal should be to participate in matches, not just to be present.”
He concluded by stressing the importance of regular playing time over the prestige of joining a high-profile league.
“It is better to be a key player in a big club in your own country, rather than moving to major leagues like the Spanish, English or German leagues in order to sit on the bench. True professionalism is about playing, not just being present.”
Ongoing attention amid rising profile
The comments come at a time when Mostafa Shobeir’s profile is growing, particularly following his international appearances. While interest from abroad may increase, his immediate future appears to remain unchanged.
For now, the situation highlights the gap between media speculation and confirmed negotiations, with the player’s next move likely to depend on formal offers rather than reported interest.
