AGADIR, Morocco, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Mohamed Aboutrika will leave his swan song in Morocco this month as the Al Ahly veteran recently announced that he would retire from professional football after the Club World Cup which raised curtain on Wednesday.
When Egyptian side Ahly meet Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande of China in their opener in Agadir on Saturday, Aboutrika could have a chance to add to his joint-record tally of four goals in the FIFA's year-ending event and eclipse Argentinian forward Lionel Messi and Brazilian striker Denilson.
The 35-year-old, who plays as an second striker or attacking midfielder, is widely regarded as one of Egypt's best-ever footballers.
Two days before this quarter-final, the world football governing body hailed Aboutrika as the Al Ahly legend in website on Thursday and showed his remarkable career in numbers.
This could be seen as an indirect caution to Guangzhou that Aboutrika's vast experience and desire to score one more goal can pose threat to Marcello Lippi's team.
5-- The number of CAF (Confederation of African Football) Champions League titles he has won with Al Ahly, in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2013. They lifted the trophy this year despite not playing domestic football, topping South Africa's Orlando Pirates in the two-legged final.
15-- The 35-year-old is Egypt's leading scorer in World Cup qualifying campaigns with 15 goals.
106-- The Al Ahly star has found the net 106 times in the Egyptian Premier League, with 27 goals for Tersana and 79 for his current employers.
4-- Aboutrika shares the record for most goals in the Club World Cup (4) with Lionel Messi and Brazilian striker Denilson. Three of his tally were registered in the 2006 edition, when he finished as top scorer.
10-- Along with Ahly teammates Wael Gomaa and Hossam Ashour, he has made 10 Club World Cup appearances - a tournament record.