|
 |
| Mido is back in the goals for Boro after a bad first season [GALLO/GETTY] |
Egyptian striker Mido became an idol in his homeland with his move to the English Premier League - but a major falling out with the national side saw him vilified.
Two years on and back from a prolonged injury spell, Mido says he's determined to earn his way back into the national side.
The Muslim is also lending his vocal support to football's anti-racism "Kick It Out" campaign, calling on England's Football Association to take decisive action on matters less clear cut than black and white.
Mido spoke to Al Jazeera during Uefa's week of action against racism.
Crowd taunts
The Middlesbrough star loves playing in England and has only suffered anti-Islamic abuse in two matches over five years in the Premier League – but wants those incidents to be the last.
"People have to know now that football players have nothing to do with any politics problems," he said.
"We are just here just to play football and do our job. And I know a lot of people know that but there is still some lack of awareness from some of the crowd.
"This is why there are now campaigns to show racism the red card. Some of the campaigns have done really well."
When Mido was taunted by West Ham fans in his first season at Tottenham Hotspur, he hoped it would be an isolated case.
But he was the focus of chants from Newcastle United fans following his move to Middlesbrough just last year – chants which labelled Mido a terrorist.
Perfect response
Mido responded by scoring and during his goal celebration signalled for the taunts to stop. That reaction earned the striker a yellow card.
"I was very frustrated back then," Mido said.
"I wanted the English Football Association to help me with the case afterwards. I don't think the FA did and that made me more disappointed.
"Now I see that The FA is, by example, taking charge against the Spurs fans who abused Sol Campbell, even though their chants were not racist.
"I find it more dangerous and more sensitive to have racism against the Islamic religion.
"I know there are millions of Muslims living in the UK so I think they should have taken action against the Newcastle fans."
Black year
 |
| Telling Newcastle fans to give it a rest [EPA] |
Mido has labelled his debut season with Middlesbrough his black year.
The former Roma striker was blighted by injury and only started eight games.
This season though, Mido is on form, scoring four goals in eight games including a satisfying winner against former club Tottenham who now sit bottom of the Premier League table.
"Against Spurs was a special goal for me. You can't say I had a point to prove but it is always special to score against your old club," he said.
Mido hopes his club form will result in a national call up for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
The 25-year-old was banned from Egypt's national side in 2006 following a heated pitch-side argument with Coach Hasan Shehata.
Angry reaction
Mido reacted angrily to his substitution in the semi-final of the African Cup of Nations against Senegal, his indignation not helped by his replacement, Amr Zaki, scoring the winner seconds later.
Relations between Mido and Shehata have, however, clearly improved.
"He's like a father for all of us," Mido said.
"The incident we had in 2006 we spoke together and now everything is clear. There is no question that I was happy for the lads to win the African Cup.
"Obviously, I was disappointed not to be there but at the same time I was very happy like any other Egyptian."
Relations have improved – as have Egypt.
 |
| Zaki scores THAT goal [EPA] |
They only scraped through to win the Cup of Nations in 2006 but recorded an emphatic victory this year with an attacking flare that even stunned Mido – a player who once labelled the players in the national side "amateurs".
"No one expected Egypt to play so well and to beat the Ivory Coast 4-1, and to beat Cameroon. It was a big result and we played some brilliant football," he said.
Mido is no longer Egypt's biggest star in the Premier League.
Zaki on fire
Zaki only joined Wigan Athletic on loan in July but has already scored seven goals and is presently the Premier League's top marksman.
"Three or four years ago I said I thought Zaki might be the only player who I could see would make it in the Premier League," Mido said.
"And I always thought that Zaki had the physical and technical ability to do well here and I'm not surprised at all."
And now Mido, a once petulant player, concedes he will have no cause for argument if he's not selected in Shehata's first choice 11.
"No, no one's guaranteed a starting position. No one at all," Mido said.
"But I think if I keep working hard and doing well for my club and be serious and doing everything right then I think I have no problem in getting myself in the starting 11."
No threat
 |
| Water under the bridge [EPA] |
Equally the Middlesbrough marksman does not perceive Zaki's form as a threat to his own international career.
"Maybe we have to play together," he said.
"We have three or four good strikers. We have Zidan playing for Dortmund at the moment, we have Emad Motaeb in Saudi Arabia and he's doing okay.
"We also have two other strikers in the Egyptian league. And I think each game is different and each game needs a different player."
Surprisingly, Egypt have failed to even qualify for a World Cup since Italia 1990 but on Wednesday they drew a kind group for their 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
They face the lowest ranked second-seed team in Algeria, alongside lowly Zambia and Rwanda.
Lofty ambitions
Mido believes that Egypt have the capability to become the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final.
"I think we are. I think all African teams have a good chance in 2010 in South Africa," he said.
"I think African teams will have a great advantage. With the way we've been playing I think we have the skill to qualify for the World Cup and take it from there and then do well in South Africa."
He is, however, concerned that greed within Egypt's club system could prevent the national team from reaching its full potential.
"I think the clubs should leave young players to go to Europe easily. That's the problem we have in Egypt," he said.
"The clubs are asking for too much money for the young players. It's something the Government and the Egyptian Football Association needs to look into – to find a way to get more young players in Europe."
In his early career, Mido's self-centred attitude proved his own worst enemy but now, clearly humbled by past mistakes, he is focused on proving his worth to serve club and country.
|