Egypt national team star Haitham Hassan revealed his feelings about playing against Argentine legend Lionel Messi in the World Cup.
Haitham Hassan
Club: Real Oviedo
Haitham Hassan said via MBC Egypt: "In the round of 16, what matters is qualification and we don't focus on who we play against. Messi is a big player and does extraordinary things on the pitch, and we saw how a big player like him can make the difference for his country's national team."
He added, "We respect Messi just as the Argentine national team also respects Mohamed Salah."
He continued, "Messi is an exceptional player on the pitch and was able to lead Argentina to win the last World Cup."
He pointed out, "I have many friends in the Egyptian national team, such as Mustafa Shobier who speaks Spanish, as well as Marmoush who speaks English and French—they helped me a lot—and also Ibrahim Adel who speaks English, and Karim Hafez who speaks French and who was my personal translator when I met with Hossam Hassan."
He explained, "My father was very happy with my choice to play for the Egyptian national team and did not pressure me to make the decision, and my mother also did not pressure me to represent the Tunisian national team, and there were no disagreements between us on this matter."
He revealed, "I met Trezeguet many years ago with the Egyptian national team and got a photo with him and all the players, and even got a photo with the team chef."
He pointed out, "I love Egyptian food and love ful and molokhia, and whenever I visit Egypt my family cooks Egyptian dishes for me."
He continued, "We played in the World Cup against Argentina and Belgium, and before the World Cup we faced Spain and Brazil. We have distinguished players and Egyptian football is seen by some as similar to Europe, but unfortunately we underestimate Egyptian football because we have wonderful talents."
He went on, "The French national team is the top favorite to win the World Cup; they have distinguished players and a very strong attacking line. After Egypt's exit from the World Cup, I will not support any other team, but the best are France."
He concluded his statements, "I appreciate the love of the Egyptian fans and this pushes me to perform better with the Egyptian national team, and I am proud of that. I now know that the fans support me and I will do my utmost to win the upcoming tournaments, and I say to all the youth that the dream is free and has no price when you have the will, confidence, and talent."
