 People all thought and said Barakat still has one or two seasons ahead after that amazing performance and goals and that he looked like he was eighteen while playing even though he is 37, but unfortunately three weeks after, Barakat announced that he was going to retire at the end of this season, putting an end to the career.After the Port Said Stadium clashes, on 1 February 2012, Barakat decided to retire from professional football, along with Emad Motaeb and Mohamed Aboutrika.However, he reversed his decision and returned to Al Ahly once again.