Hossam Ghaly while receiving the H d'Or trophy (Photo: Ahram)
Hossam Ghaly is nearing the twilight of his football career but he still hopes he could feature in the World Cup before hanging up his boots, a target that has eluded many of his predecessors since Egypt's last participation in the world's most prestigious football tournament in 1990.
The 34-year-old, skipper of Egypt's most popular club Ahly, told Al-Ahram Hebdo in an interview that he is proud to have been chosen as the best home-based player in a poll conducted by the Ahram French publication.
He also came third among all Egyptian players, behind winner Mohamed Salah of AS Roma and Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny.
Al-Ahram Hebdo: You won the 2015 H d'Or for the Best Egyptian home-based Player and finished third in the overall ranking of the best players after Mohamad Salah and Mohamed Elneny. What does that represent for you?
Hossam Ghaly: I'm really happy. This is a very important award for me, especially in this period. I have won many titles throughout my career, but this one is very special to me because it comes at a very important time in my career that is nearing its end.
It gives me more confidence and motivation. It is the fruit of my work and my concentration throughout last season and this season. I did my best with Ahly to get good results. Today, after winning this award, I feel that my efforts and focus were appreciated by the football experts and supporters who participated in your poll and who voted for me. This will further motivate and encourage me this year.
You also won third place in the final ranking of the best Egyptian football player in 2015 after Salah and Elneny...
Salah and Elneny had an outstanding year in 2015. I love those two players. They are good ambassadors for Egyptian football in Europe. Salah has been successful in Europe and he plays in a competitive league in the Italian Calcio, which is one of the biggest competitions in the world.
Salah was excellent in 2015 with Fiorentina and Roma, and even when he was at Chelsea and Basel he was unstoppable. The footballers and Egyptian people are really proud of him. Salah is a model of the Egyptian player who plays in Europe. He's a real professional player who is firmly focused on his profession. He also keeps developing from one year to another. He's fast and he scores many goals. He is a hard worker who set himself specific goals to achieve. He is still young and he has what it takes to go very far.
Speaking of the English Premier League, you have had the chance to play for Tottenham Hotspur and Derby County. Do you miss this competition?
Yes of course. Any footballer who plays in the Egyptian league would love to play in a prestigious competition like the English Premier League, it's a dream. But for me, at the age of 34, it's hard to go back.
I enjoyed it a lot playing with Tottenham and Derby County. Not only there, but also in the Netherlands with Feyenoord, Belgium with Lierse SK and Saudi Arabia with Al Nasr. It was a pleasant and unforgettable experience for me. I'm also proud to defend the colours of my home club Ahly and I dream of winning new titles on the local and continental levels.
Last year was not pleasant for Ahly after they lost the domestic league and cup …
No, we cannot say that last season was not pleasant for Ahly. We didn't finish 2015 empty handed because we won the Egyptian Super Cup. And a few days before the beginning of 2015, we won the CAF Confederation Cup for the second year in a row. There isn't any club on earth which wins all the time. This season, the players and technical staff are well focused on winning titles.
As a team captain, how do you rate head coach Jose Peseiro? Is he able to lead the Reds to new titles?
Peseiro is a good coach, and he is technically adept. He is ambitious and has goals with the club. He is someone who works seriously to lead the club to new titles. Over time, he has adapted to the club and I think there is already a harmony between him and the players. As you can well see, the results of the team are getting much better. We are on the right path with him.
It wasn't an easy year for: many suspensions and sanctions by the Egyptian Football Association or your own club for anti-fair play behaviors...
(He interrupts the question and responds immediately) You're right. I have to control myself and calm down. Frankly, I do not like to get upset and lose control, but it happened against my will, because I like my team and I want it to win.
However, I realise that this is both good and bad. Bad because I get angry while as a captain I must set a good example for young players. But it is also a good thing because it shows that I care about my team and I do not want it to lose. Ahly players were under pressure in recent months, as the team was in a rebuilding period and me as a captain, I always wanted to see my team winning.
Anyway, I will work on myself and try to be calm and to be up to the responsibility as captain of the team. I'm well aware that I'm always under the spotlight and my mistakes are highlighted because I'm the captain and I'm the idol of many young players.
At the age of 34, what are your goals and dreams for 2016 and for the rest of your playing career?
In 2016, I dream of having a great season with my club and winning all major trophies: the domestic league and cup and the African Champions League, and thus qualifying for the Club World Cup.
As for my dream for years to come, I only have a year or two before calling it a day. I dream of winning many titles with Ahly and help Egypt qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The current generation is full of talented players who can realise the dream of the Egyptian people by qualifying for the World Cup after a long absence.
I dream of playing at the World Cup before ending my career. After I retire, I will become a coach. I see myself more in this area than in the administrative field. When I stop my playing career, I will take training courses to acquire the C coaching license, then B and A to become a professional coach. I dream one day of becoming the coach of Ahly and lead the club to titles the same way I did as a player.
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