Retired Egyptian striker, Amr Zaki, explained why he believes Mohamed Salah had more success than him in the English Premier League.
Zaki had joined Wigan on a one-year loan from Cairo giants Zamalek in 2008 and despite his short spell, the Egyptian made a lasting impression on English fans.
The 39-year-old is remembered for his dream start in the Premier League, where he scored 10 goals in just 22 appearances, including an unforgettable brace against Liverpool.
However, his legacy was quickly tarnished in the second part of the season, where he scored just one goal after he fell out of favour with then-coach Steve Bruce.
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Zaki claimed that he was shocked by Bruce’s criticism and listed several reasons why Mohamed Salah succeeded in England, and not him.
“I was injured during the match between Egypt and Zambia in the World Cup qualifiers and the doctor prevented me from traveling out of fear of worsening the injury,” Zaki told Mehwar TV.
“Wigan then decided to deduct two weeks of my salary and I returned immediately to undergo a medical examination.
“Wigan confirmed my injury after the x-rays and I missed three weeks. The board even decided to cancel the penalty imposed on me.
“All of this was done in coordination with the Egypt national team, the Football Association, and the English club, so I don’t understand what prompted Steve Bruce to attack me.
“I know that my start in the Premier League was stronger than Salah’s start in the same league but the difference is that he had signed a permanent contract and wasn’t on loan like me.
“This gave him stability, whereas I played for Wigan on loan. Also, Mo started his career and life in Europe.
“The second difference is that Salah went to Europe from Arab Contractors. He didn’t have the fame and money that Al Ahly and Zamalek players get, so he had to fight to prove himself and make a name for himself in Europe.
“You will find many examples of players who went to Europe from outside the ‘big’ teams and were successful and continued their career outside such as Ahmed Elmohamady, Ahmed Hassan, and Abdelzaher El-Saka.
“The third thing is Salah’s professionalism and the fact that he developed as a player overseas.
“Players who leave at a young age are given a chance by club presidents to actually succeed even if they’re from Al Ahly or Zamalek because they didn’t become stars yet.
“I hope that club presidents in Egypt won’t prevent players from going abroad and give them the full opportunity by selling them,” he concluded.
