Mohamed Elneny

This story first appeared in the April 2016 edition of the Arsenal Magazine. 

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How would you describe your country?

Egypt is a great country, all Egyptians love it and so do I, it’s a beautiful country and I’m happy to go there every time, and I encourage everyone to go see it. It’s a beauty.

Name three things that are great about your country?

Obviously the pyramids, Sharm El-Sheikh, but the whole country is beautiful.

What’s your favourite food from your country?

Kushari. It's a mixture of rice and macaroni.

Which sports are popular, other than football?

Football is by far the most popular in Egypt, but I think handball possibly comes second.

Who does your country have their greatest rivalry with?

Certainly Algeria and Tunisia, and possibly Morocco too.

Where are the best places to go on holiday in your country?

Sharm El-Sheikh, the pyramids of course, and Luxor which is known for its temples. All these places are beautiful. I get very positive reactions when I ask what people think of them. I feel very happy when I hear foreigners say they will comeback to Egypt.

Where would you like to go in your country that you haven’t been?

I would like to go to Aswan and Luxor but by ferry, not by plane or train. So a cruise there would be nice.

International intelligence

Which languages do you speak?

Arabic and a little bit of English

Which languages would you like to speak?

French

Tell us somewhere in the world you would like to visit?

Because I love Egypt and love spending all my holidays there, there is no other specific place in my mind that I would like to visit.

What was the first trip you ever made outside of your country?

It was to Austria.

Can you name the capital cities of these three countries?

Denmark – Sorry I don't know that ?
Japan – Yes, that's Tokyo ? 
Czech Republic – I'm not sure of this either, hang on, let me ask Petr Cech (laughs) ?

Can you name the countries from their presidents/prime ministers?

Angela Merkel - Not sure ?
David Cameron - Don't know ?
Vladimir Putin - Sorry, I don't know either. I'm not into politics at all to be honest, I wouldn't know even if you asked me about Egypt. ?

Where is the next World Cup being held?

Brazil? No, Brazil hosted it last, it’s Russia I think. ? 

Who won the World Cup in these years?

1966 – No idea ?
1990 – I don't know, I was born in 1992 so I couldn’t watch it (laughs). ?
2002 – I know that. I was 10 at the time. Brazil with Ronaldo won that. ? 

What nationality are the following Arsenal legends?

Dennis Bergkamp – He was from the Netherlands  ?
Freddie Ljungberg – I remember the player, he wore number 8 right? I'm sorry, I don't know the answer.  ?
Lauren – Was he from Cameroon? ? 

In which country do Arsenal de Sarandi play?

It's not in Europe, It sounds like South America, I will guess Argentina? ?