After Egypt lost to Argentina in the World Cup Round of 16, Egyptian forward Ziko gave an interview to Saudi MBC TV. He said Messi is a phenomenal player, but for him, Messi comes after Cristiano Ronaldo, adding that he barely sensed Messi’s presence on the pitch for the first 80 minutes of the match.
After Egypt fell 2-3 to Argentina in the World Cup Round of 16, Egyptian forward Mostafa Ziko sat down for an interview with MBC TV. When asked what he would say to Messi if the Argentine was watching their game and understood Arabic, Ziko opened up.
"Messi—he’s the greatest footballer in history! But for me, he’s second to Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo is my all-time favorite… Truth be told, though, for those first 80 minutes before he scored, I hardly felt like Messi was out there with us. I swear to God, for 80 whole minutes, I completely forgot we were sharing the pitch with Messi! But you have to remember, we’ve got Salah on our side!"
Ziko also recalled an unforgettable moment before kickoff: "I can remember it clear as day. Right before the national anthems in the player tunnel, Messi was looking all over for our Salah just to greet him. I felt an indescribable surge of pride and joy in that moment!"
When speaking about his teammate Salah, Ziko grew visibly emotional: "Yet some people dare to ask, ‘What’s Salah even doing?’ ‘How important is Salah? How did he play today?’ Salah? Salah is on an entirely different level. No one has the right to question him. Salah is in a league of his own, lads. He’s extraordinary in every single way!"
"On and off the pitch, especially to me personally… Every match Salah plays tells a new story, he shows something new every time. He doesn’t even really know me, he just spotted me by chance… I used to only watch him on TV, and my biggest dream back then was just to meet him in person and shake his hand."
In the World Cup Round of 16 tie where Argentina beat Egypt 3-2, Messi missed a penalty in the 21st minute, then set up Romero for a goal in the 79th minute before firing home a close-range strike in the 84th minute to level the score at 2-2.
Wutabdty
525
U don't need to see him for 80minute he just need 10 minutes remaining of the total 90 minutes to make u see him and heal u off your 80 minutes of blindness
heuaekmuy
409
And the same 10 minutes you saw him on the pitch is the main reason why you're back home doing interviews so that means your 80 minutes presence was useless 😒😒
cuzacdeil
302
congratulations You're qualified for piers Morgan Interview hurray🎉
Joshwill1123
223
You barely noticed him for 80min but We barely noticed noticed Ronaldo in this World Cup 😂
Mipeikprsu
92
That is because you don't matter!
Feoblmrsy
53
honestly, you won't notice him until he has nailed you, plus i hope this is not coming from a place of hate
Davichi
46
This got my attention. "Messi—he’s the greatest footballer in history! But for me, he’s second to Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo is my all-time favorite… " Although, he's a Ronaldo fan, he knows that Messi is the GOAT. This is what many fail to realise. "The fact that a player is your IDOL doesn't mean he's the GOAT".
Skyejojo01
33
U don't need to see him for 80minute he just need 10 minutes remaining of the total 90 minutes to make u see him and heal u off your 80 minutes of blindness
I only blame the delusional fans, making Zico important. Who tf is Zico and his opinion lol? Even Salah would be grateful to have shared the field with MESSI 👑
Slow-Kelvin_10
20
Everyone's opinion matters, Mr bee. that's how it is. just like it is with me, Cr7 will always be my GOAT. no one can ever change that
There’s nothing like ‘my GOAT’ It’s either he’s the GOAT or he’s not
Timdeilstz
13
fifa doesn't want him to display unlike their princess 😂
The more you meet Ronaldo fans, the more you understand why Noah took Animals instead of humans😂😂🤦♂️
Akaks
8
U don't need to see him for 80minute he just need 10 minutes remaining of the total 90 minutes to make u see him and heal u off your 80 minutes of blindness
Dude is just bitter he lost