Egypt and Tottenham icon Mido reflects on his tumultuous career

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  • A mischievous smile cracks across this familiar face.

    Mido, a former Egypt striker described as “completely nuts” in Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s acclaimed autobiography, has just been asked whether he had any regrets about a trailblazing playing career that burned brightly as a teenager at Ajax, but ended in ignominy aged 30 at second-division Barnsley.

    “No, no regrets,” comes the reply, while smirking, at a du Football Champions event to promote the launch of both season 4 and du Talents, a Middle East-first sports tech scouting platform. “Never.”

    The term ‘maverick’ is over-used in football. It is the only apt way to describe Mido.

    At his best, he twinned an imposing physique with deft technique. These traits helped him become a giant at Zamalek and Belgium’s Gent before he was legally an adult.

    There were 20 goals in 51 matches for his nation and 2006’s Africa Cup of Nations success. Plus, spells at Tottenham, Roma, Marseille and Celta Vigo – where four strikes in eight La Liga matches earned a club-first stint in the Champions League.

    There was also, however, the aforementioned incident where an exchange of verbals with Ibrahimovic saw a pair of scissors launched with such velocity that they lodged in a wall next to the, fortunate, future Sweden superstar’s head.

    Disagreements with a litany of coaches reached their nadir during 2006’s Africa Cup of Nations.

    Mido had to be dragged away from Hassan Shehata during the semi-final win against Senegal. Shehata’s crime was to haul off his ineffective star attacker.

    When Mido entered his peak footballing years, returns of two goals in 12 matches for Wigan Athletic and zero in nine for West Ham United were produced.

    Since the Egyptian officially retired aged 30 in June 2013, Ibrahimovic has scored 172 goals in 213 run-outs for Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and LA Galaxy. Less than a decade ago, the latter couldn’t get a look in at Ajax because of his team-mate’s superiority.

    “I think it could have been better and it could have been worse,” says Mido of his playing days.

    “But I’m proud of what I’ve done. I played for some great clubs and had a very good relationship with team-mates, very good friends until now and I think that this is the most important thing about football is to build relationships and have friends through your career.

    “Some good memories were when we won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2006, when we won the league with Ajax after four years without winning it, when I signed for a big club like Tottenham.

    “Very important was qualifying for the Champions League with Celta Vigo for the only time in their history. A lot of good things, never regrets.”

    In retirement, Mido’s nonconformist ways have made him a natural as an outspoken football pundit.

    This candour, however, caused problems as one of the first imports from the Middle East to Europe.

    There have been no such issues for Liverpool’s current Egypt pin-up Mohamed Salah, while France-born, Algeria international Riyad Mahrez earned a summer move to Manchester City after overcoming a fit of pique at Leicester City.

    Did the previous generation lack the professionalism to succeed abroad?

    Mido answers: “I think it is a little bit unfair to say that the Arab players before weren’t professional enough. They have a different mentality.

    “You cannot get someone who has been raised up in a totally different culture and ask him to react in the same way as an English, German or Dutch boy does.

    “They are different, but players now let’s say in my opinion are more focused on their game.

    “Now, football is different with social media and the attention around the game. Players they take good care of themselves and I wish we had this attention when we were playing.

    “I remember when I scored a goal in Europe it was written in Egypt two days after, so it’s different. We were a bit isolated.”

    Mido (l) reacts after heading a late equaliser against Arsenal during the League Cup semi-final, second leg in January 2007.

    Mido (l) reacts after heading a late equaliser at Arsenal during a League Cup semi-final, second leg in January 2007.

    Mido is now in a better place.

    His slim-line figure has returned, courtesy of winning a battle that threatened premature death in 2017 when hitting 150kg.

    Foundations are also nearly laid to better a coaching career that has previously provided mixed results in his home country.

    “I’m getting my coaching badges in Wales, I’ve already done my C and B and I’m almost done with my A badges,” Mido says.

    “I’m getting my Masters in Football Development and Coaching with the University of South Wales, so I’m taking good care of my education, because I don’t think playing experience is enough, I think education is important.

    “I’ve already coached Egyptian clubs Zamalek, Wadi Degla and Ismaily, but now I’m looking for a good opportunity to come to Europe, even as an assistant to a good manager. I’ll get my badges done and then see where it goes.”

    duFC, in partnership with La Liga, offers a professional scouting platform to develop the male and female football champions of tomorrow. More than 21,500 players have taken part in its opening three seasons.

    The new du Talents allows prospects to upload highlights of their skills, connecting directly with coaches and scouts.

    For more information, visit www.dufc.ae and https://talent.dufc.ae/.

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