Egyptian football mourns as Ahmed Refaat succumbs to cardiac arrest

Ahmed Refaat came into the spotlight in mid-March 2024. At that time, he was involved in a dramatic situation during the closing moments of the Egyptian Premier League's fourth-round match.

At one point, the Modern Future FC player collapsed on the pitch. The 30-year-old lost consciousness and Al Ittihad players immediately rushed to his aid upon seeing the severity of the situation.

Doctors who arrived to assist Refaat began resuscitation efforts, but even a defibrillator could not help the Egyptian representative. An ambulance quickly appeared on the pitch, and the player, who was diagnosed with a heart attack, was taken to hospital.

Then, the club announced that the player had suffered cardiac arrest for over an hour. He was fighting for his life, and after a prolonged battle, he eventually managed to return home. However, his football career was over. He continued to receive treatment and had a pacemaker inserted.

In recent days, Refaat's condition deteriorated. On Saturday morning, his heart stopped beating again, and this time, doctors could not save him, as reported by the Egyptian media.

A post announcing his death was published on social media by his club, the Egyptian Football Association, and even his national team colleague, Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.

"With great sadness, we announce the death of Ahmed Refaat, a first-team player and Egyptian representative. The club offers sincere condolences to the player's family and fans," reads the statement from Modern Future FC.

"The board of the Egyptian Football Association asks Almighty Allah to surround Refaat with His great mercy and instill patience and consolation in his family and loved ones... We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return," reads the condolence from the local association.

"May the Lord give strength to his family and loved ones," read the words of the 32-year-old, who bid farewell to the participant of the last World Cup in this way.