Thursday 12/March/2026 – 09:00 PM
Egyptian football has a large stock of talent spread across the continent of Europe, and it is perhaps one of the most prominent names emerging strongly Ryan Amirthe young talent who holds both Egyptian and English nationalities.
The player, who previously represented the England U-18 national team, and starred in the English ranks of Brentford, decided to take a step by moving to the ancient Dutch castle of Feyenoord, and recently, with his obtaining an Egyptian passport in November 2024, attention has turned towards him to be one of the potential winning cards for the Pharaohs in the future.
In this exclusive interview, Rayan Amir talks about his journey, his ambitions, his position on representing the Egyptian national team, his opinion on the legends of Egyptian football, and the text of the interview:
First, tell us about your upbringing and how your journey with football began until you reached your current position?
Since my childhood, football has been my biggest and first passion. I started playing the game in small local academies, joined youth teams, and worked with great effort and perseverance to improve my skills step by step. I developed as a player until I reached the professional level I am at today.
During this journey.. What stage or club is closest to your heart and witnessed your best levels?
I had the opportunity to play for several clubs, and each club helped me grow and learn more about the game, but my time with the English club Brentford was the most important for me. It was a very special stage, as I developed a lot and presented my best artistic levels there.
Why did you make the decision to leave Brentford and the English Premier League and move to Feyenoord?
Leaving Brentford was not an easy decision at all, but I was looking for a new challenge and a different experience in my career. When negotiations took place with Feyenoord officials, things went great, and the club showed a real and great desire to include me. I felt at that time that it was the most appropriate place for me to continue developing, and moving to the Netherlands was an important and appropriate step for my future.
I hold English nationality, but my Egyptian roots go back to my father while my mother is British. I feel a close connection to both cultures, and I am very proud of my Egyptian roots, which represent an important part of my identity and background.
As a professional player in Europe.. How do you see the level of the Egyptian League and the players there?
I think that the Egyptian League is very competitive, and it is without a doubt one of the strongest leagues in the continent of Africa, and it always produces talented players. For me, the players who catch my attention the most and make the difference in Egypt are Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet and Emam Ashour, as they are among the best and always leave a big mark on the field.
Do you welcome the idea of playing in the Egyptian League in the future if you receive an attractive offer?
At the moment, my focus is entirely on continuing my career in Europe and developing as much as possible, but I have great respect for the Egyptian League, and perhaps playing there one day will be something special in the future.
You previously joined the England U-18 team. Tell us about this experience?
Yes, I had the opportunity to be in one training camp with the England U-18 team, and it was a very good and useful experience for me at that stage.
After obtaining the Egyptian passport.. Was there any official communication to include you in the Egyptian national team?
So far, I have not received any official call-up from the Egyptian national team, but representing the national team is a great honor for any player. Both countries mean a lot to me because they are part of my identity, and my final decision will always depend on what I feel is best for my future and career at the appropriate time.
Aside from football… would you visit Egypt and taste its food?
My connection to Egypt is very strong thanks to my family. I grew up listening to a lot about Egyptian culture and traditions, and I have a real sense of belonging to these roots. When I was younger, I used to visit Egypt a lot with my family, and although it has been a long time since my last visit, Alexandria remains my favorite place because most of my family lives there, and I also love spending time in Sharm El Sheikh.
As for food, my favorite dish is koshari. It may seem strange at first, but if you taste it once you will never forget it.
Speaking of Egyptian stars… How do you see the influence of Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush in Europe?
Salah and Marmoush are performing at great levels in Europe, and they represent a great source of inspiration for young players like me. Mohamed Salah in particular is one of the players that I consider a role model for me. I am very impressed with his mentality and the way he worked hard to reach the top.
How do the European media and public talk about Mohamed Salah?
In Europe, Salah enjoys tremendous respect from the fans and the media. People here always talk about his continuity and high professionalism, and he is considered without question one of the best players in the world.
What is your next ambition? What is the hardest match you have played so far?
My greatest ambition is to continue to develop and play at the highest levels possible, which is why I train hard every day and focus mentally. Discipline and continuity are crucial for me.
As for the most difficult match, I have not yet played a decisive match in the understandable sense, but my first appearance with Feyenoord was full of tension and pressure. Because I desperately wanted to prove myself, make a strong first impression to secure a place in the starting XI.
What is your advice to young talents in Egypt?
My advice to them is to work hard and be patient, and to always focus on developing their skills and building a strong professional mentality.
