Shell invests in Mina West gas development in Egyptian Mediterranean Sea    Egypt's FM highlights 'soft power' in Mali meeting with alumni    Egypt's foreign minister opens business forum in Niger, targets new partnerships    Egypt's FM delivers Al-Sisi message to Niger's leader, seeks deeper security ties    Rafah Crossing 'never been closed for one day' from Egypt: PM    Egypt will keep pushing for Gaza peace, aid: PM    Remittances from Egyptians abroad surge 70% YoY in July–May: CBE    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    Egypt's current account gap narrows, but overall BoP records deficit    Al-Sisi urges accelerated oil, gas discoveries, lower import bill    Egypt hosts international neurosurgery conference to drive medical innovation    Egypt's EDA discusses Johnson & Johnson's plans to expand investment in local pharmaceutical sector    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi calls for boosting oil & gas investment to ease import burden    EGX to close Thursday for July 23 Revolution holiday    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Egyptian Drug Authority discusses plans for joint pharmaceutical plant in Zambia    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Giza Pyramids' interior lighting updated with new LED system    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Mido Set To Ditch Bad Boy Act
Published in FilGoal on 04 - 09 - 2006

Reporters looked cautious, waiting for an outburst or an angry reaction from Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' as they flooded him with provocative questions in Egypt's training camp ahead of the 2008 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi.
To their astonishment, Mido kept a cool head, a state of mind he rarely enjoyed since launching his career as a professional footballer in the late 90s.
"If you counted my international goals in comparison to my caps, you will find out that I have a very good scoring percentage," Mido replied a reporter who accused him of not being as useful to the national team as to his several European clubs.
"Moreover, I am still young and will play for Egypt and contribute to its accomplishments for many years to come," a relaxed Mido added.
He was actually right.
The 23-year-old striker netted 18 times for Egypt in 44 international matches, scoring his first international goal on debut against United Arab Emirates in January 2001.
This newly-adopted attitude may be an indication that the much-traveled player is determined to drop the bad-boy image.
Once a Troublemaker
Mido is last remembered of his touchline spat with coach Hassan Shehata during Egypt's 2-1 victory over Senegal in the African Cup of Nations earlier this year.
"My relation with manager Hassan Shehata is good and our problem in the African Cup of Nations has been totally forgotten.
"We always talk to each other and everything is normal. He proved this when he called me up for Egypt's first competitive match after the tournament."
He has reportedly fallen out with Roma captain Francesco Totti, claims that were strengthened by Mido's departure to Tottenham Hotspur.
But the former Zamalek star said he sought a long pause from troubles to pay more attention to the game.

Mido's relationship with Shehata is back to normal
"Reports of a fight between me and Totti are totally untrue and manager Luciano Spalletti wanted me to stay till Tottenham tabled an irresistible offer," the former Ajax ace said.
Mido hopes that rejoining Tottenham on permanent basis gives him the chance to play regularly, something that was vital to all his previous success stories.
A More Mature Mido
In 2000, Mido's starting status inspired him to score 11 goals in 21 appearances for Belgian club Gent and attracted attention from top clubs in Europe.
He also excelled with Ajax Amsterdam throughout the following two seasons as his 38 goals in 70 games made him the fans' idol.
The fairytale came to an end when coach Ronald Koeman decided to relegate him to the bench where Mido didn't feel so comfortable and said he wanted a move out of the Amsterdam Arena.
Mido's exit from Roma was much similar as German boss Rudi Voeller, who brought him to the eternal city, resigned after just four games in charge.
With his successor Luigi Del Neri depending more on veteran Italian striker Vincenzo Montella, Mido preferred a quick fix for his situation and parted ways with Roma in January.
Now, Mido seems to have refined his anti-bench theory.
"I am not afraid of competition with Tottenham forwards Robbie Keane, Jermaine Defoe and Dimitar Berbatov because all big clubs have to keep their options open," he said.
"European clubs play about 60 games per season and featuring in 40 of them would be good for me."
And he wants to make his appearances, no matter how many they are, even more successful than his 18-month loan when he was Tottenham's third scorer with 14 goals.
"I have always wished to come back to White Hart Lane. I still have many targets to achieve," said the ambitious Egypt after resigning for Spurs.


Clic here to read the story from its source.