"Everyone is impressed of him. The scouts, the technical staff, everyone who have seen him play thinks he is a great talent," said former Ajax technical manager Leo Beenhakker, after Mido first joined the Eredivisie side in 2001. "He is only 18 years old and is already in the A-selection of the Egyptian national team, where he is also an important player," Beenhakker, who currently fills the same job at Feyenoord, added. The previous comments on Mido's switch from Gent to Ajax perfectly describe the status of the towering striker nine years ago. He was a gifted teenager who was playing European and international football, a rare feat that most of his compatriot players wouldn't achieve in a decade. Mido, who came through the youth system of Zamalek, was reasonably tipped for a while to be the greatest Egyptian footballer of all time. After having a memorable two-year stint at Amsterdam Arena, the nomadic player moved from one European club to another, including Celta Vigo, Marseille, AS Roma and Tottenham Hotspur. He pretty much stamped his mark on every club he played for till 2006, but afterwards recurrent injures and fitness problems caused his career to take a turn for the worse. This summer, Mido ended up making a return to Ajax, where he built his reputation, but of course his move to Holland was received differently than in 2001. "We could not get strikers that would cost us money. I am pleased that Mido has so much ambition in this reality," Ajax boss Martin Jol stated. "He gets no salary, so eventually it makes no difference." Although the controversial lad was offered a pay-as-you-play deal that will cost Ajax very little money, his return did not appeal to many people.
Jol worked with Mido before at White Hart Lane Ajax's financial restraints were clearly the main reason why they approached Mido in the first place, while he did not have better offers to consider in the close season. "If he comes, it will cost us nothing. And people ask why is he coming?!" Ajax commercial director Henry van der Aat said before Mido put pen to paper. It is the second time for the underpaid Mido to accept a pay-cut while attempting to resurrect his career. Last season, he accepted a cut-price loan offer from West Ham United, which saw his earn only £1,000 a week. Dutch daily De Telegraaf reported that the former Middlesbrough man will be paid €150,000 at Ajax this term should he be named for 20 matches, regardless of the number of his appearances. Mido's income will be up to €250,000 if he makes Ajax's squad 25 times or more, according to the same report. In 2007, Mido's monthly wage at Boro was in the area of £200,000. He was considered one of the highest earners at the Riverside. Positive Attitude Mido's form might have plummeted but he still has the same positive attitude that saw him impress with Ajax and other clubs in his heyday. Despite the fact that the 27-year-old lost his berth in Egypt's squad and could not score a single goal with West Ham last season, he does not seem to lack self-confidence. "Any big team who compete on all fronts must boast a number of remarkable strikers, so it is normal for Ajax to have three or four marksmen at their disposal," Mido told Modern TV.
Mido has high UEFA Champions League hopes "This is not strange for me; all the clubs I have played for had more than one remarkable striker within their ranks. Their playing time was always contingent on their form. "I know what my role at Ajax will be and my aim now is to regain match fitness, because I haven't been in action for a while. "As long as I am playing for a high-profile side, I must expect that sometimes I will be on the pitch and sometimes on the sidelines. "I have been in this situation many times and I managed to pull it off. "When I first joined West Ham, (then manager Gianfranco) Zola told me that I am his fifth choice. But ultimately I played on a regular basis, so playing first-team football doesn't really concern me at Ajax." Last season's Eredivisie top scorer Luis Suarez and Dutch-Moroccan hitman Mounir El-Hamdaoui form a potent strike partnership that Jol usually relies on. But Mido, who has repeatedly suffered from chronic overweight problems, reiterated that he will be competing with the influential duo for a starting spot. He also underlined the 'vast experience' he got from his numerous travels around the Old Continent, which from his perspective will give him an advantage. "Both players (Suarez and El-Hamdaoui) are very talented and have really stood out during their time in the Dutch league," said Mido. "But I also have vast experience that I've gained from playing in many leagues, some of which are even stronger than the Dutch competition. "Martin Jol knows the right time to play me, and when I start featuring for Ajax I will do my best to prove my worth."
