Mohamed Omar Criticizes Egyptian Football Market: Professionalism Changed Identity and Player Contracts Became Overpriced
Former Al Ittihad Alexandria star Mohamed Omar criticized the huge contracts paid to Egyptian league players, saying professionalism has changed the identity of Egyptian football and increased player salaries beyond their real technical value.
Mohamed Omar Criticizes Professionalism’s Impact on Egyptian Football ⚽🔥
Former Al Ittihad Alexandria star Mohamed Omar has sparked debate with strong comments about the current state of Egyptian football, discussing the impact of professionalism on the identity of the game and how it has changed the structure of competition between clubs.
Omar explained that professionalism has become an unavoidable part of modern football, but at the same time it has contributed to the disappearance of several values that once defined Egyptian football, especially loyalty and the strong connection between players and clubs. ⭐
The former Egyptian football star said professionalism has transformed football from a sport based on passion and talent into a market dominated by financial figures and contracts, which has led to a significant increase in player salaries without always being linked to their performances on the pitch.
💰 Rising Player Contracts Spark Controversy
Mohamed Omar also discussed the issue of player contracts in the Egyptian league, stressing that huge amounts are currently being paid to some players despite their technical levels not matching those financial values.
He pointed out that some contracts reaching hundreds of millions of Egyptian pounds have become an unusual phenomenon, explaining that these deals are often influenced not only by player abilities but also by competition and bidding between clubs.
Omar added that the transfer market has become heavily affected by financial competition, as some clubs attempt to sign major players with massive offers in order to outperform rivals, which eventually leads to inflated player prices.
📉 Technical Value Does Not Match Current Figures
The former Al Ittihad Alexandria star emphasized that a player’s financial value should be connected to his contribution on the field, noting that many Egyptian league players do not possess the level that justifies earning tens of millions.
Omar believes that fair contracts for most players should not exceed 10 million Egyptian pounds, especially when evaluated based on technical performance and the impact they provide to their teams.
He added that only a limited number of exceptional players deserve higher contracts, provided they have a clear influence and the ability to make a real difference.
🏆 Calls for Better Organization of Egyptian Football Market
Mohamed Omar stressed the importance of having a clear strategy for managing player contracts in Egyptian clubs to achieve balance between players’ rights and clubs’ financial capabilities.
He warned that continued spending huge amounts on player salaries without proper planning could create financial problems for clubs, especially as many teams carry heavy financial burdens without achieving the expected sporting return.
He also emphasized that developing Egyptian football is not only about signing expensive players but requires more focus on youth academies, discovering new talents, and building a professional system capable of producing players who can compete locally and internationally.
🔴 Egyptian Football Needs Balance
Mohamed Omar’s comments come at a time when Egyptian football is witnessing widespread debate over increasing player prices and rising contract values, especially with clubs competing strongly during transfer windows.
Many former football stars believe the solution is not eliminating professionalism but rather organizing it better and creating clear standards that ensure players receive values matching their abilities and influence.
Ultimately, player contracts remain one of the biggest issues in Egyptian football, with growing demands to achieve a balance between professional development and preserving the identity of Egyptian football. ⚽✨
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