Egyptian football legend Mido has announced his return to professional football at the age of 41. Known for his stints with Olympique de Marseille alongside Didier Drogba during the 2003-2004 season, Mido revealed his intentions to make a comeback in an interview with Egyptian channel ONTime Sports.
Mido, who last played for Barnsley in 2013, retired early due to a series of difficult seasons and off-field issues.
However, after an eleven-year hiatus, the former Pharaohs striker, with 19 goals in 51 international appearances, is ready to lace up his boots once again.
“I think I will return to football in the Egyptian Premier League. I bet that I will score at least 10 goals if I play again.
There are currently no good strikers, and that is what encourages me to return. I will soon join an Egyptian club and I will spend the preparation phase with them.
I am 60% ready. I have not retired from football, I have only had a 10-year break,” Mido stated, keeping the identity of the club under wraps.
Mido began his professional journey with Zamalek in the late 1990s, scoring three goals in four appearances before moving to Europe with La Gantoise in Belgium.
His European adventure included notable spells with Ajax, Celta Vigo, Marseille, Roma, Tottenham Hotspur, and Middlesbrough.
He returned to Zamalek in the 2009-2010 season but failed to replicate his early success, netting just once in 15 matches. His final professional appearances came between 2011 and 2013, where he scored three goals in four games, a testament to his enduring goal-scoring prowess despite limited playing time.
Post-retirement, Mido transitioned into coaching, starting with Zamalek in 2014. He then managed Ismaily SC and had a brief stint back at Zamalek in 2016.
His coaching career also took him to Wadi Degla SC and Al Wehda Club in Saudi Arabia, with his most recent managerial role at Misr El Maqasa during the 2018-2019 season.
Despite a coaching career that never fully took off, Mido remains highly regarded in Egyptian football circles, both as a player and as a coach.
Mido’s return to football is all the more remarkable considering his past struggles with weight. At one point, he weighed 150 kilograms, which posed significant health risks.
Through sheer determination and a rigorous fitness regime, he shed over 50 kilograms, a transformation that reignited his passion for football.
While he may not have the physicality of his younger years, Mido believes his innate goal-scoring ability remains intact.
“The former Spur may no longer have his 20-year-old legs, but his skill in front of the goal – like during the 2005-2006 season when he scored 11 times in the Premier League – has not completely disappeared despite the decade that has passed.”
Mido’s announcement has been met with enthusiasm and curiosity, especially among fans of Olympique de Marseille and Egyptian football.
His comeback adds an intriguing narrative to the Egyptian Premier League, and many will be keen to see if he can indeed achieve his ambitious goal of scoring ten goals. Welcome back, Mr. Mido!
EXCLUSIVITÉ CHOQUANTE 🚨🇪🇬
Ahmed Hossam Mido (41 ans) ENVISAGE de reprendre le football la saison prochaine dans un club de Nile League ! 😱🇪🇬
Pour rappel, Mido avait prit sa retraite à l’âge de 30 ans, un retour après 11 ans. 😳🇪🇬
(@ONTimeSports) pic.twitter.com/smTf1qTzde
— 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗿𝘆 🇪🇬 (@Foot_Masry) July 25, 2024
