From Wadi Degla, where it all started, to the French capital, Paris, Ahmed Mohsen is poised to be Egypt's pride as a solid defender for French side Boulogne-Bilancourt at the tender age of just 17. Mohsen plays for the youth team in the first division while the club's first team is in the second division. The young man is a regular starter on the team sheet. Wearing his number five shirt, a number that has been worn by greats in football history, Mohsen has not just performed his duties in his centre-back position, but has also shown his attacking abilities by scoring three goals for the team. The story of the young defender started with his great passion for football at a very young age, which led him to join the Wadi Degla Academy in 2003 where he occupied a starting position in their youth teams and held the captaincy at one point. But the Egyptian league did not satisfy the teenager's ambitions and, in 2010, Mohsen decided to begin contacting several agents around the world looking for a chance to play in a strong European league. Indeed, the young defender's talent did capture the attention of football agents and one Dutchman offered to sign him. “I went for a trial in Aalst in Belgium and Viviuno in Holland where I played very well,” Mohsen told Al-Ahram Weekly in an exclusive interview. “Then I returned to Egypt as it was an off-season period for the club, but I went back again to Holland for another trial period with Denpoche.” Back in Egypt again awaiting an official offer from either Belgium or Holland, the young player was approached by a French scout who told him he was wanted by three clubs in France. “My first match with the first club ended badly as I got injured after just five minutes. Then I played with Britigny and Boulogne-Bilancourt where I played well and got accepted,” he said. Despite being so close to moving to Bretigny, which is in partnership with second division team Auxerre, it was the Boulogne-Bilancourt bid that drove Mohsen away. “Boulogne-Bilancourt has a partnership with the French giant Paris St. Germain (PSG), which is one of the best 10 teams in the world. So I decided to join Boulogne-Bilancourt in hopes that I can make it to PSG later on as the move would be much easier than if I went to Bretigny,” Mohsen explained. Mohsen's dreams transcend wearing the red and blue shirt of Paris St. Germain. “I dream of playing for Arsenal one day and then to put on the royal shirt of Real Madrid,” he said, revealing his dream teams. Mohsen, who has just received an American high school degree which he had to study for online, can play in three different positions on the pitch: centre back, right back or even half defender. Despite securing his place on the pitch as a centre back, Mohsen revealed to the Weekly that he is in the process of changing his position to defensive midfielder. “I've already tried it a few times and I'm working with my manager, Michel Valee, on it,” Mohsen said. The switch in position would give him more space to show his football skills and engage him better in attacking play. On the personal level, Mohsen's all-time favourite footballers are Sergio Ramos and David Beckham whom he adores. Beckham had his share of the Parisian spotlight just six months before retirement when he played for Paris St. Germain. Mohsen himself does not see much of the Parisian lights as he prefers to stay home, much like what has been said about Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian star in Chelsea, whose success the young defender hopes one day to emulate or even exceed. Mohsen was called on once to represent the Egyptian youth national team. “It was a very good experience.” He also hopes to wear the red, white, and black kit of the national team. The young star-in-the-making, whose role model is Hani Ramzi, the former Egyptian defender who played in Europe for 16 consecutive years, mainly in Germany, is willing to remain in Europe and pursue his dreams. “I also hope to follow in Mido's and Salah's successful footsteps in Europe,” the young player said. As to what he thinks differentiates him from many Egyptian players who went to Europe and returned home shortly afterwards, Mohsen said it was the mentality plus the age difference. “Many players decided to leave to Europe late in their career, but I went to Europe early and I plan on staying there.” Mohsen is now playing with the U-19 team of Boulogne-Bilancourt while his coach prepares him to join the first team next season. He admits it is hard to be away from home at such a young age, but the Egyptian is determined to make it on European soil. The writer is a freelance journalist.
