Late into Wednesday night, Omar Marmoush momentarily lost his way exiting the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
He was heading out of the away dressing room towards the Manchester City team bus and from there to a subdued flight home. It’s a bit of a maze down in the basement floors of Real Madrid’s redeveloped stadium. As City’s new man was there for the first time, he needed directions.
His next visit to the Bernabeu, Marmoush will doubtless have resolved, will turn out better all round.
By the time his rasping free-kick hit the Madrid crossbar, setting up a very late City goal, the tie had been utterly lost, Madrid knocking City out of the competition by 6-3 on aggregate.
Some time after Marmoush and his teammates had left, Kylian Mbappe was in the same exit corridor, showing off, to reporters, his match ball, signed by all his Madrid colleagues.
It was his memento for having scored all three home goals in the night’s 3-1 second leg. Hat-tricks give strikers some of their most prized souvenirs, but the afterglow can be brief. Only five days earlier Marmoush was celebrating his own treble in City's thrashing of Newcastle.
After the high of his first Etihad goals, the low of his first ever start in the Champions League, another major milestone hurries on to the diary of Marmoush – Sunday’s first taste of what has become the summit collision of the modern English Premier League City versus Liverpool.
This time it’s an especially resonant fixture for millions of Marmoush’s compatriots: His City against Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool, the two Egyptian stars centre stage.
One is the most expensive purchase of this Premier League season; the other may come to be judged among the most transformational signings ever made in the Premier League era. Yet again, Salah is leading the division’s goalscorers – 24 from 26 games so far.
If the Premier League table casts this City-Liverpool clash as a step in the deposing of City as champions – they trail leaders Liverpool by 17 points – the all-Egyptian duel perhaps foreshadows another passing of the baton.
Salah, at 32, may show very few signs of losing his speed and rapier finishing, but at some point he will yield his status as his country’s finest active footballer and the region’s most feted sporting export.
And Marmoush, 26, is shaping up as the heir, suddenly touching the sorts of peaks – he had struck 20 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt before his €75 million January move to City – that are almost routine for Salah.
“A majority believe Salah's records and consistency will leave his legacy untouchable,” says Amr Nageeb Fahmy, author of the newly published The Pharaohs’ Hegemony, a brilliant, detailed account of the Egypt national team’s domination of African football in the period up to 2010.
“But there may be a flame passing from Salah to Marmoush – if this is the last season for Mo at Liverpool and if he might be on his way to playing in the Middle East after the summer.”
Salah’s Liverpool contract expires in June, with no extension yet agreed. He has eager suitors in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League.
Marmoush and Salah have never before played a competitive fixture on opposite sides, a sign of how the football landscape has altered in the last decade and a half.
In that time, aiming for success in Europe became a focus for an aspiring Egyptian professional, often to a greater degree than achieving status with one of Cairo’s superclubs, with Al Ahly or Zamalek.
Neither Salah nor Marmoush played for either, Salah moving from Al Mokawloon to Basel in Switzerland at 20, Marmoush leaving Wadi Degla for Germany’s Wolfsburg as an 18-year-old.
The circumstances were distinct. Salah, pushing himself from a young age through long daily journeys to practice, was breaking into the senior level of the game at a time of national crisis, when incidents of stadium violence led to the suspension of Egypt’s league.
He had no choice but to accelerate his career elsewhere. That he would do so, via the odd setback – an unfulfilling spell at Chelsea – with such brilliance, first in Italy and then as the spearhead of a Liverpool that conquered Europe and the Premier League set down an aspirational pathway for others.
“Mohamed Salah is a role model for all the players, not just Omar Marmoush,” Mohamed Ghoraba, the Pharaohs’ team manager during the period Salah and Marmoush have coincided with Egypt, tells The National. “In the eight years he’s been at Liverpool, everyone has looked up to Salah.
“But what they have both done is open doors, to show there is no such thing as ‘impossible’. In the past we have sometimes had difficulties trusting ourselves to realise our full potential.
“The way Salah exploded on to the top of the sport changed that. With Omar Marmoush we now extend that timeline.
“People used to say Salah was like a one-off, that Egypt would wait another 20 or 25 years for another player like him. But then they see Marmoush’s success.
“That has a big effect on young players, and on families who can more clearly see a great future in football for their children.”
Salah and Marmoush’s backgrounds are very distinct in several respects, but, as athletes, they share plenty.
There’s the eye-catching pace, the purposeful direct running, Salah mostly from the right on to his preferred left foot, Marmoush the mirror of that. “They have many things in common,” says Ghoraba. “The speed, of course, but also the mentality.
“They are both very driven and have been throughout their development, and in their ambition to reach the top. Salah had to fight for everything he achieved from day one, and those who have come up after him know that.”
If Salah, with more than 100 caps for his country and a stack of medals and records from his career in club football, is the pioneer, he is also the careful guide to those following him in the national set-up.
Ghoraba has observed “a very fruitful and positive” relationship grow between the Liverpool legend and the City star-in-the-making.
“They recognise one another as a top player and they link up well,” he said. “But they both have humility and they come to play for Egypt with a lot of love for the jersey and the desire to put their stamp on it.”
That desire becomes ever fiercer as Salah approaches his mid-30s. He has become his country’s most globally admired sportsman in the 21st century but his senior Egypt career has peaked only at two runners-up places at the four Africa Cup of Nations he has been to.
The comparison with the so-called ‘golden generation’, the heroes of the Pharaoh hegemony is sharp. By the time Mohamed Aboutrika, the Egyptian star Salah grew up regarding as an idol, had reached the age Marmoush is now Aboutrika had won his first Afcon. By the time Aboutrika was the age Salah now is, Egypt had won three Afcons on the trot.
Fitness permitting, Egypt will go to the next Africa Cup of Nations finals, in December, with a peak-form Salah attacking from one flank, and Marmoush, easing into the role of leading Manchester City’s renaissance, sprinting in from the other. It sounds irresistible. It swells expectations.
“That puts a lot of pressure on them,” acknowledges Ghoraba. “The level of anger and aggression Salah has had to deal with when Egypt haven’t gone all the way in tournaments is very, very high. Omar may soon have to face the same issues.
“But, trust me, he can deal with it. He’s still young but he has the ambition to be a future leader of the team – and he’s a good guy.”
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7%22%20Super%20Retina%20XDR%20OLED%2C%202796%20x%201290%2C%20460ppi%2C%20120Hz%2C%202000%20nits%20max%2C%20HDR%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20P3%2C%20always-on%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20A17%20Pro%2C%206-core%20CPU%2C%206-core%20GPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20iOS%2017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Triple%3A%2048MP%20main%20(f%2F1.78)%20%2B%2012MP%20ultra-wide%20(f%2F2.2)%20%2B%2012MP%205x%20telephoto%20(f%2F2.8)%3B%205x%20optical%20zoom%20in%2C%202x%20optical%20zoom%20out%3B%2010x%20optical%20zoom%20range%2C%20digital%20zoom%20up%20to%2025x%3B%20Photonic%20Engine%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%2C%20Smart%20HDR%204%2C%20Portrait%20Lighting%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2024%2F25%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full-HD%20%40%2025%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20HD%20%40%2030fps%2C%20slo-mo%20%40%20120%2F240fps%2C%20ProRes%20(4K)%20%40%2060fps%3B%20night%2C%20time%20lapse%2C%20cinematic%2C%20action%20modes%3B%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%204K%20HDR%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%20TrueDepth%20(f%2F1.9)%2C%20Photonic%20Engine%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%2C%20Smart%20HDR%204%2C%20Portrait%20Lighting%3B%20Animoji%2C%20Memoji%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2024%2F25%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full-HD%20%40%2025%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20slo-mo%20%40%20120%2F240fps%2C%20ProRes%20(4K)%20%40%2030fps%3B%20night%2C%20time%20lapse%2C%20cinematic%2C%20action%20modes%3B%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%204K%20HDR%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204441mAh%2C%20up%20to%2029h%20video%2C%2025h%20streaming%20video%2C%2095h%20audio%3B%20fast%20charge%20to%2050%25%20in%2030min%20(with%20at%20least%2020W%20adaptor)%3B%20MagSafe%2C%20Qi%20wireless%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Apple%20Pay)%2C%20second-generation%20Ultra%20Wideband%20chip%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Face%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP68%2C%20water-resistant%20up%20to%206m%20up%20to%2030min%3B%20dust%2Fsplash-resistant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20eSIM%20%2F%20eSIM%20%2B%20eSIM%20(US%20models%20use%20eSIMs%20only)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Black%20titanium%2C%20blue%20titanium%2C%20natural%20titanium%2C%20white%20titanium%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EiPhone%2015%20Pro%20Max%2C%20USB-C-to-USB-C%20woven%20cable%2C%20one%20Apple%20sticker%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh5%2C099%20%2F%20Dh5%2C949%20%2F%20Dh6%2C799%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
More on animal trafficking
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20specs
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
The%20specs
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
The five pillars of Islam
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
WHAT IS GRAPHENE?
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
