Mido: "Signing Permanently for Spurs: A Big Mistake!"

EP FORUMS

MULTIMEDIA

SURVEY CORNER

PROFESSIONALS

NATIONAL TEAM

BUSINESS WITH EP

JOBS AT EP

Dedicated Web Hosting, affordable web hosting FuseBlast.Com

Mido: "Signing Permanently for Spurs: A Big Mistake!"

Date: 21-5-2007
Wrote by: EP's webmaster

Mido gave away an interesting interview on Egyptian TV channel, Al-Mehwar. The Egyptian had some comments on his current situation and future. He also had commented on the recent incident between Ghaly and Martin Jol.

Read also:

When asked about the reason beyond his presence in Egypt at the moment he replied:

"The season is over in England. I came to Egypt to spend my vacation in Sharm El-Sheikh which I love so much. Some newspapers wrote rumors about me receiving a loan offer from Zamalek but I can confirm that I have no intention of returning to the Egyptian League at all.

"This has nothing to do with Zamalek or the Egyptian League. But I have four years remaining in my contract with Tottenham and I play in the strongest league in the world. So, I see no reason to even think about coming back.

"Yes I had difficult times this season with Spurs but I am eager to bounce back and get back to my normal form.

"Every player passes through hard times in his career. The important thing is that he must have the will to come back."

Mido then stated that he regrets signing for Tottenham, and openly dubbed this an incorrect decision. "The hard times started with my making the wrong decision. I made a big mistake when I signed permanently for Spurs.

"This is the first time that I announce this and I know that this could result in problems but it is the truth and I have to say it.

"Firstly, I spent a very good loan period at Tottenham. We ended 5th and qualified to Europe and I was one of the top scorers together with Robbie Keane.

"At the end of the season, I had many options. I had the option to return back to Roma which is a very big team and they ended 2nd in the Calcio and I also had other choices.

"Officials at Roma begged me to stay and so did my agent Mino Raiola but I decided against all their advice to sign permanently for Spurs. I wanted to join Tottenham because I loved the club and wanted to be there, particularly in London, and so did my family. It wasn't the best decision I've made and I am not going to repeat these kind of mistakes again."

When asked about his future with Tottenham Hotspur, he added:

"I am contracted for four years with Tottenham. But if I get a good offer, then I will be in another place next season."

The striker continued: "I would be lying if I said that I am happy at Spurs. Any player who doesn't play will not feel happy. I played for many clubs in my career and I was instrumental in their achievements. All of these cubs are big names so when I find myself not playing at Tottenham, this will make me feel bad."

When asked to name the clubs that are interested in signing him and whether they are Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, the Egyptian hitman replied:

"I can't name any club at the moment. FIFA rules don't let me reveal this kind of information."

Regarding the national team, he added:

"I came to Egypt on holiday. I didn't receive a call up for the national team and I am not fit to play versus Mauritania. I spent a long time away from matches and need a long time to get back to match fitness."

Regarding the incident of Hossam Ghaly and Martin Jol and whether Mido would react in the same way or not, he replied while laughing:

"I would do even more than what Ghaly did!

"I was actually the first person to talk to Ghaly after this incident. I faced similar situations so I can tell what he was feeling."

The interviewer interrupted Mido's speech at this stage saying: You mean your incident with Egypt's coach Hassan Shehata?

Mido replied: "Yes but Ghaly's situation was different. Firstly, he faced a very difficult decision when he was taken off after coming off the bench as a sub. This is very hard for any player. This situation doesn't happen often, but when it does, many players would react like Ghaly or even ask to leave the club!

"The big mistake Ghaly made was throwing the Spurs shirt on the ground. The shirt is for all the fans and is more important than anything, and throwing it is a bad insult to the fans.

"People who watch games can't feel what a player feels when he is on the field. Players may lose their nerves quickly in these situations and it happened before to big named players like Eric Cantona while playing for France.

"Ghaly did greatly this season for Tottenham. He saved no effort and made me proud that I recommended him to Martin Jol, so it is not fair to forget all the good things that he did and only remember his single mistake."