Millwall midfielder Ramez Hefzalla wants to follow in the footsteps of fellow Egyptian Mohamed Salah and dreams of joining at a European giant a la Liverpool or Arsenal, speaking to King Fut.
Only 11 players hailing from the North African nation have ever graced a Premier League stage before. And just two remain. Mo Elneny at Arsenal, and Salah at Liverpool.
With the former’s contract expiring at the end of the season, and with Salah’s Anfield future the subject of much discussion, it is far from certain that Egypt will have any representatives plying their trade in England’s top flight in 2022/23.
Ramez Hefzalla, Millwall’s 18-year-old midfielder, should give supporters of the seven-time African Cup of Nations winners’ something to hang their hat on however, with the teenager hoping to emulate a man he describes – with some justification – as ‘the greatest Egyptian player ever’.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is Ramez Hefzalla’s icon
“(Salah) is the greatest Egyptian player ever. But I have a big dream to surpass what he has achieved,” Hefzalla explains.
“Playing at the big European clubs is my dream, whether it’s Liverpool, Arsenal, et cetera. I want to play here in London, and make Egyptians proud as Salah did.
“Without a doubt, Salah is a role model because he is the best player in the world at the moment. And he deserved to win the Ballon d’Or instead of Lionel Messi last year.”
Hefzalla is yet to force his way into the first-team picture at Millwall. But he did catch the eye with a lovely flicked finish in reserve-team action earlier this year – a piece of spell-binding magic that earned the youngster a nomination for the Lions’ Goal of the Month award.
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Hefzalla still has a lot to learn before he can follow in Salah’s footsteps, however, though fellow Egyptian Omar Marmoush could be gracing the Premier League stage next term.
Arsenal and North London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen on the Stuttgart starlet.
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