The captain of Al Ain team, Bander Al-Ahbabi, announced his departure from the club. He stated that he had received a message from the management indicating that the club does not require his services for the upcoming period, and the contract will be terminated by mutual agreement. This comes days after he gave an interview to "Emirates Today" explaining his recent absence was due to national service and that he would meet with the management to discuss his future. In a post on his personal Instagram account, Al-Ahbabi wrote: "I received a very sad and impactful message in my life, but such is the way of life, and it is a difficult time for anyone who feels this. I spent the best moments of my life here, and I learned things that can only be gained in a place you love with all your heart." He added: "The moment of farewell may be difficult, and perhaps words cannot describe what is inside me, but what I can say is that I always fought for this crest and strove to be worthy of the name of Al Ain club and its great fans." He continued: "Thank you to you, the fans of Al Ain, for every word of support, for every word of encouragement, and for every moment that made me feel like one of you. Your support was the biggest motivator for me, and this is something I will not forget for the rest of my life." Al-Ahbabi also thanked his mentor and inspiration, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, calling him the key to his life and career. He also thanked Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan for his unwavering support. "Al Ain club will always be a part of me, no matter what happens, and I will remain proud that I was a player in this club, and even prouder that I started in it as a small boy and grew up to be its captain," the footballer concluded. It is worth noting that the player's contract was set to expire in the summer of 2027.
