may dominate the headlines whenever take to the field, but those who know the Pharaohs best insist their greatest strength lies elsewhere.
Tito Garcia Sanjuan spent almost a year as Javier Aguirre's assistant coach with Egypt and believes the side preparing in the Round of 16 at the has been built on far more than the brilliance of its captain. Competitiveness, tactical flexibility and the strength of the domestic game have all helped shape a team capable of making life uncomfortable for any opponent.
"Egypt have something that defines this side now and has done so for the past 30 years," Garcia Sanjuan told FIFA. "It's all about competitiveness. To me, they’re a proper team. It might seem like Argentina are the clear favourites, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Egypt made a real match of it. It’s not going to be easy for Argentina.”
The two headline acts are undeniably each nation’s No10, with the meeting of Salah and a tantalising prospect for football fans – beyond just those supporting Egypt and Argentina. While Messi is chasing his second World Cup trophy at the age of 39, and wile doing it, 34-year-old Salah is still the Pharaohs’ captain and talisman.
“They can make history. For everyone, but especially for Mo[Salah]. This is likely to be his last World Cup, and he deserves recognition,” Garcia Sanjuan said. “Whenever I spoke to him, we’d say the same thing. He was at his peak during the heyday of Cristiano [Ronaldo] and Leo Messi, but I don’t think he’s been given the recognition he deserves.
“As far as he’s concerned, if he’s already The African King – not just The Egyptian King – then getting through this round against Messi’s Argentina would be the perfect way to crown his career… although that doesn’t mean he’s about to retire.”
And what is Salah like to work with in close quarters? Garcia Sanjuan does not hesitate. “When we began working with him, he was at the peak of his powers at Liverpool. Just a year later, he won the Champions League in Madrid. What’s more, he invited me to attend the final against Tottenham.
“He’s a world-class footballer who has sat at the same table as these two exceptional players [Ronaldo and Messi]. He can win a match for you and turn it around in an instant. For me, it would be thoroughly deserved if Mo carried on making history.”
Garcia Sanjuan expects Egypt to be well prepared for the threat of Messi and Argentina, who are aiming to become only the third nation after Italy and Brazil to win back-to-back World Cups.
“They can play in a number of different ways,” the Spaniard said of the Pharaohs. “They can line up with a back four or a back five, depending on how they want to set up. From a footballing perspective, that’s the sort of thing that’s disappearing from the game.
“There’s a real street-football culture to their style. Egyptian footballers learn their trade on the streets; they know what it means to fight for every ball and, as we’re seeing, there are some very interesting individual players. They’re pure passion, and they treat every ball as if it were their last.”
Egypt owe their place in the Round of 16 at this year’s tournament to the strength of their domestic game: 17 of the 26 players called up by Hossam Hassan play in the Egyptian Premier League.
“Al Ahly and Zamalek are the traditional powerhouses, while Pyramids have emerged as a force to be reckoned with over the past five to eight years and are now competing with them,” Garcia Sanjuan explained. “But Al Ahly are certainly a ‘beast’ that drives absolutely everything. The country has a population of around 120 million and probably 100 million support Al Ahly.”
It is little surprise, then, that the country's perennial dominant force contributed eight players to the squad: five started against Australia, including goalscorer Emam Ashour, while Trezeguet was introduced from the bench.
For Garcia Sanjuan, that continuity is one of Egypt's greatest strengths. While Salah remains the team's global superstar, the foundations of this World Cup run have been laid much closer to home, creating a side whose collective identity may prove every bit as important as the brilliance of its captain against Argentina.
Sources: FIFA Official
