Wigan player who’ll share the World Cup stage with Mo Salah!
From the despair of rejection with Wolverhampton Wanderers to the thrill of a World Cup with mohamed Salah. It has been a dizzying climb for Sam morsy as he arrives in russia to complete a successful campaign when he won the title with Wigan and a place in the League one team of the season.
Egypt is a nation brimming with anticipation for their first World Cup since Italia ’90. Salah is confident of being fit, despite a shoulder injury which forced the Liverpool forward off in the Champions League final.
‘The squad were all watching the game together in the hotel,’ said morsy, who has become a close friend of the Liverpool star during their time on international duty.
‘It was hard to see him injured. We knew he could be decisive in the game. Anything can happen when you have a superstar like mo Salah in your team. There’s nothing he can’t do.
‘He has been incredible for Liverpool and he is doing amazing things for the country and for the religion. People can see how humble he is and how respectful he is and that is what Islam is all about.
‘There’s a small minority of people who look at muslims and Arab people and Egyptians and Africans and see things differently.
‘So, he’s doing amazing. You can see the way he lives his life. He is a religious person, a family man, down to earth, always laughing and totally at peace with himself.
‘He carries such responsibility but you can’t tell. It seems to weigh down on some superstars but he’s enjoying it. No fame or money can change him.
‘That’s why everybody loves him and supports him so much. He’s a fantastic guy.’
morsy was born in Wolverhampton and qualifies for Egypt through his father, mekaey, who moved to manchester from Cairo in his early 20s in search of a better life and started in the takeaway food business before moving into property.
His side of the family still live in Cairo and they were thrilled when the international call came from manager Hector Cuper.
‘I was playing at Port Vale, aged about 19 or 20, when an Egyptian journalist got in touch with me,’ said the midfielder. ‘He said they were watching me and posting videos and reporting my progress.
‘ Then it wasn’t until two years ago when Wigan were last promoted that I was contacted by Egypt’s assistant manager, saying the manager liked me and wanted me to go over for a training camp.
‘I did well and I’ve been in every squad ever since.’
His debut came in a friendly against Guinea in Alexandria in August 2016.
He was on the bench when they secured qualification for russia and won his fifth cap in a warm-up friendly against Belgium on Wednesday.
‘ It was a bit surreal at first,’ added morsy (right). ‘When it happened, I got to the airport and loads of Egyptians were waiting for me. All the players and staff were so welcoming and after two or three camps I felt really comfortable. The only disappointment was to miss out on the Africa Cup of Nations, because in Egypt you have to go through military service. As a footballer you’re immune but there was a long process to go through and I had to miss out.’ Egypt were beaten in the final by Cameroon but Cuper, a former Valencia boss, has revived one of Africa’s great football powers. At the World Cup, they are in Group A with Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and hosts russia. ‘In Egypt, they love their football like you wouldn’t imagine,’ said morsy. ‘This World Cup is a dream for them. The cafes are going to be full of fans watching the games.
‘We are geared up for a good tournament with a competitive team, getting better.
‘A lot of players have won the African Nations and some are looking at this as their last World Cup and others are in their prime. I can’t wait for it to start. It will be an amazing experience.’
morsy is taking lessons in Arabic to improve his communication inside the camp, where the fasting month of ramadan, which ends as the World Cup starts, serves as an important bonding experience.
‘It’s a holy month and the best time of the year for a muslim,’ said the 26-year-old. ‘Everyone enjoys it. In the camp, we usually break fast together in the evenings and then train and refuel. We eat our main meal after midnight and we pray together and it builds a powerful team spirit.’
The anticipation is far removed from rejection by Wolves at the age of 16 and a reboot at Port Vale with an ‘old- school’ footballing education under manager micky Adams and coaches mark Grew and Andy Porter.
‘They would hammer the young lads and I knew it was time to buck up my ideas,’ said morsy. ‘It broke a lot of players but it made some as well. It sets you in good stead for the rest of your career.’
From Port Vale he moved to Chesterfield and then Wigan, where he was reunited with boss Paul Cook, and the future is exciting following a takeover by a Hong Kong consortium.
‘I hope the club can keep moving in the right direction,’ said morsy. ‘It’s my dream to play in the Premier League. I’ve played in League Two, League one and the Championship.’
He watched the last World Cup finals at home with friends and family. This time he will be part of the fun, starting against Uruguay in Ekaterinburg on Friday.