It was a dark day for the world of Egyptian football as talented footballer Ahmed Refaat passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning at the age of 31. The Modern Future club and Egypt national team winger succumbed to a heart condition which led to his collapse on the pitch after a league match against Ittihad Alexandria.
The club’s official website Modern Sport FC released a statement announcing Refaat’s death, attributing his disappearance to a sudden and serious deterioration in his health. The player’s health problems began during a league match against Ittihad Alexandria several months ago, when Refaat suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch, requiring immediate medical intervention.
After regaining consciousness, Ahmed Refaat remained in an induced coma for several days. He was first admitted to hospital in Alexandria, where he remained for 14 days before regaining full consciousness on March 11. Subsequently, he was transferred to a hospital in Cairo for further treatment and monitoring.
Refaat spent several weeks in hospital under close medical supervision. Although he was discharged from hospital on April 11, he continued to receive medical treatment and had daily sessions with a pacemaker to regulate his heart rate.
The sudden death of Ahmed Refaat has plunged the Egyptian football community into sadness and dismay. This talented and appreciated player will leave a void that is difficult to fill for his teammates, his fans and all those who were lucky enough to cross his path on and off the field. Hopefully this tragic episode will raise awareness about the health of athletes and encourage collective awareness of the risks associated with high-level sport. Ahmed Refaat will forever remain in our hearts, a symbol of passion, dedication and courage on the football field.