One of Egypt’s favourite football sons, Mahmoud AbdelRazek Fadlallah, has called time on his illustrious career.

The full name may not ring a bell, but certainly, his nickname “Shikabala” will.

The “White Knights” skipper officially announced his retirement from football late Thursday, breaking down on live television, reflecting on a career that spanned over two decades. “The journey is over,” he declared once composed.

Born in Aswan, a city on the Nile River, Shikabala’s footballing journey began in the youth ranks of Zamalek, and he earned promotion to the first team in the early 2000s.

He went on to play in Europe and the Middle East, but his time at Zamalek is something to write home about.

He’s one of Zamalek’s most decorated players, with 18 official titles to his name, including one CAF Champions League crown and four Egyptian league gold medals.

In total, Shikabala played 396 matches for Zamalek, scoring 70 goals and boasting 89 assists.

He played 32 times for the senior Egyptian national team, winning the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, and was also part of the 2018 FIFA World Cup squad in Russia.

He was also nicknamed the “Apache” by Egyptian fans and “Shikabala” reportedly originates from Zambian striker Webster Chikabala