Mohamed Shady says Egypt remains priority despite USA interest

Al Ahly youngster Mohamed Shady says he wants to represent Egypt, despite the United States Soccer Federation asking him to submit documents in preparation for a possible call-up.

Shady, who holds American citizenship, confirmed that he had sent the requested paperwork but made clear that playing for Egypt remains his main ambition.

“My lifelong dream is to play for Egypt,” Shady told FilGoal.com. “I hold American citizenship and the United States asked me to send my documents ahead of a possible call-up, so I did that. Despite this, my priority and ambition is to represent Egypt.”

The teenager has previously been involved with Egypt’s youth teams. He said he joined the Egypt 2008 team under Ahmed El Kass before featuring again with the 2009 age group under Hussein Abdel Latif as a dual-nationality player.

“I previously joined the Egypt 2008 team under Ahmed El Kass, and then worked with Hussein Abdel Latif in the 2009 team as a dual-nationality player,” he said.

“Abdel Latif told me that I would have an opportunity with him if I lived in Egypt, but I waited and was not called up.”

Shady also indicated that he would reject the possibility of playing for the United States if Egypt showed a serious interest in selecting him.

“I would rule out joining the United States if Egypt genuinely wanted me,” he said.

Egypt’s youth national team will compete at the World Cup in Qatar next November. They have been drawn in Group A alongside the hosts, Greece and Panama.

At club level, Al Ahly drew 3-3 with El Qanah in the seventh round of the league.

Al Ahly are second in the league table with 17 points, four points behind leaders Pyramids.