In a move reflecting the progressive vision of the national teams' coaching staff, Wael Riad, the head coach of the Egyptian youth national team, announced the call-up of rising star Karim Ahmed , a player for Liverpool FC, to join the Pharaohs' training camp. This decision marks the player's first appearance in the national team jersey, as part of a strategy aimed at broadening the selection pool and discovering talented Egyptian players currently playing abroad in European leagues.
The journey of rising within the fortresses of Liverpool
Karim Ahmed's path to success was far from easy; it was the result of hard work that began in his early childhood. He joined the prestigious Reds Academy at the age of six, nurturing his talent within one of the world's strongest football schools. Karim steadily progressed through the club's various age groups, eventually securing a regular place in the under-18 squad. As a culmination of his efforts, he is set to sign his first professional contract in the summer of 2025, having been promoted to the under-21 team, a testament to the English club's high level of confidence in his technical and physical abilities.
Mohamed Salah's successor... Will history repeat itself?
Karim Ahmed's inclusion in the Egyptian national team is particularly significant given the strong public and media connection between him and Egyptian legend Mohamed Salah . The presence of a young Egyptian player shining at the same club where Salah has made history offers Egyptian fans hope for a continuation of the "Pharaoh's" legacy. Karim possesses exceptional tactical versatility, excelling as a center forward, attacking midfielder, and winger, making him a valuable asset for any coach. He has already demonstrated this by scoring 7 goals and providing 5 assists across various competitions, including the UEFA Youth League.
Professional prospecting strategy
The call-up of Karim Ahmed comes as part of a recent trend in Egyptian and Arab football to utilize players from expatriate communities, a strategy that has yielded remarkable successes for North African national teams like Morocco and Algeria. Wael Riad "Cheetos" aims, through this training camp, to integrate these talents with local players to create a strong squad capable of competing at the continental level.
Camp details and the match against Iraq
The player has already arrived in Cairo to join the closed training camp, which begins on Friday at the National Teams Center in 6th of October City. The youth national team is scheduled to play two important friendly matches against their Iraqi counterparts on February 24th and 28th. These matches will serve as a strong rehearsal and a true test of the new players' abilities, in preparation for the qualifiers for the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, where the Pharaohs aspire to reclaim their continental glory in this age group.
