Egypt's Team Director: 'We have 26 Messis' Ahead of Argentina Clash

Egypt's national team director, Ibrahim Hassan, delivered a powerful message of confidence ahead of the Pharaohs' highly anticipated World Cup Round of 16 clash against Argentina. Hassan stressed that the technical staff is working to shield the players from the pressure of facing Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi.

Speaking to a local TV channel, Hassan declared, "We aren’t focusing on Messi. We tell the players to go out there, play their game, and block out the stature of who they are up against. They might have Messi, but we in Egypt have Mohamed Salah, and we have 26 Messis of our own. God willing, victory will be ours." This defiant stance comes after Egypt's historic qualification, achieved through a decisive victory over Australia.

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We aren’t focusing on Messi. We tell the players to go out there, play their game, and block out the stature of who they are up against. They might have Messi, but we in Egypt have Mohamed Salah, and we have 26 Messis of our own. God willing, victory will be ours.

Hassan also provided an update on captain Mohamed Salah, revealing he suffered an injury scare during the group stage match against Iran, which led to his early exit. He commended the medical staff for their efforts in getting the Liverpool forward match-ready for the subsequent game against Australia, noting that such an injury would typically require at least ten days of recovery.

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We told them to completely banish that thought from their minds… we are here to stay

The team director further highlighted manager Hossam Hassan's rigorous approach to preparation, emphasizing his meticulous analysis of opponents and detailed breakdowns for the players. This has fostered a disciplined performance on the field. Hassan asserted that the coach has successfully instilled a new level of self-belief within the squad, dispelling anxieties about an early tournament exit. "We told them to completely banish that thought from their minds… we are here to stay," Hassan stated.

The core message to the players is to seize the opportunity of competing on the world stage. "We tell them: go out there, play, and write history, because no one knows if they will ever get the chance to play in a World Cup again," Hassan added. He also acknowledged the readiness of young player Haitham Hassan, whose deployment depends on tactical decisions. Fueled by strong harmony between staff and players, the Egyptian national team aims to extend its World Cup journey against the reigning champions.

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We tell them: go out there, play, and write history, because no one knows if they will ever get the chance to play in a World Cup again