AUCian midfielder joins Zamalek football team

BY KARIM OSMAN

Zamalek Football Club (FC) has officially signed a five-year contract with Omar Ismail Youssef, an undeclared student at AUC.

At the age of 19, the student is the youngest AUCian to sign a contract with Zamalek FC.

Zamalek FC officially announced the agreement with Youssef, who usually goes by the name ‘Tigana’, at the start of September. He is now central midfielder on the team.

The sportsman intends to pursue his undergraduate studies in Journalism and Mass Communication.

“Just in case being a professional does not work out, I’ll probably become a sports critic or a TV analyst,” he said.

His journey with football started when he was a four-year-old playing for the Shooting Club Football Academy, followed by a short spell at Zamalek’s youth system. Afterwards, he joined El Gouna FC for six months, where his father was the team’s manager. Shortly thereafter, he was Itihad El Shorta bound, and finally went back to Zamalek.

Tigana does not find it easy to cope with being a student and a professional at the same time.

“It’s extremely hard. I try as much as I can to keep up between practice and classes. But sometimes I have travel to other cities to play matches, which affects my attendance,” he said.

The midfielder’s father was also a big name in the playing field. With more than 450 matches, Ismail Youssef, holds the record for Zamalek’s highest number of appearances. The retired footballer has been capped 97 times, meaning that he has played 97 times for the National team.

It seems as though the athlete’s story was meant to be. His uncle, the late Ibrahim Youssef, was named best African player for two consecutive years. He is also known to be the best defender in African history.

“Living up to his legendary legacy is one of my main goals,” said Tigana.

Multiple AUC students joined the squad before the starlet, like Ahmed Mohsen and Ibrahim Khafagi. However, Tigana is the youngest to ever achieve such a position.

“I look forward to become someone like Ahmed Hassan. I’ve always taken him as a role model. He has a great personality and always shows youngsters like me how to act and react on-and-off the pitch,” he said.

Ahmed Hassan is a 38-year-old Egyptian midfielder who plays for Zamalek FC. At 184 caps, he is the world’s most capped player.

Youssef has not yet been capped for the first national team, but this remains as one of his highest targets. His ambition exceeds his age as he wishes to become the best player in Egypt and, eventually, in the world.

“[Becoming] a veteran like my father and devoting my career to Zamalek would be an honor,” said Tigana.

When asked about playing in Europe, Tigana explained that he would not “think twice” if he is offered an opportunity that is suitable for both him and the club.

“It is a great honor to play for [Zamalek],” said Tigana, adding, “I’ve always dreamt of playing here and right now, I am living the dream.”