Barclays Premier League - The Kingston Communications Stadium - 28/4/15 Liverpool's Raheem Sterling in action with Hull's Ahmed Elmohamady (Reuters)
Egypt and Hull City winger Ahmed Elmohamady says that Ahly former international star Mohamed Barakat is the best player he played alongside in his football career.
"Mohamed Barakat is the best one I have ever played with. He played for Ahly, the best club in Egypt. He was my idol. I was watching him to learn," Elmohamady told Hull City's official website on Monday.
Elmohamady first appeared in the English Premier League in 2011, joining Sunderland on loan from Egyptian outfit ENPPI.
He managed to nail down a regular place in Hull City's team in the last two seasons after joining them on a permanent basis from Sunderland in 2013.
Elmohamady was a key element in the Egypt squad that won the African Cup of nations in 2008 and 2010. Barakat also appeared with the Pharaohs in the 2002 and 2006 editions before quitting international football in 2009 after failing to reach the 2010 World Cup finals.
"I played alongside Barakat in the national team. He also plays at the right wing like me whether as a defender or winger. He is one of the best players in Egypt, but he is not playing any more now," he added about Barakat, who decided to hang up his boots at the club level in June 2013.
"My best ever match was in the 2010 African Cup against Algeria. We won 4-0 in the semi final and I was named the match's best player. Then we won the tournament," explained Elmohamady.
"My first memory with football was playing in the street with my friends. I hope I return to play there again. You enjoy playing without your shoes. I was a bad boy in terms of going to school. I didn't like to do that since I always liked to play football," the Egyptian star added.
The 28-year-old, Elmohamady, was one of the Premier League's most consistent performers last season. He featured in all of Hull's 38 league matches and was substituted only once.
Hull ended last season in 18th place and were relegated to the English second division, which is called the Championship.
The Tigers are currently leading the Championship table with 56 points, one behind second placed Middlesbrough.
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