In this year's Olympic Games, the Egyptian soccer team won the hearts of a host of fans with their extraordinary strength. Although they narrowly lost to hosts France in the semifinals, they earned respect for their fighting spirit. At the age of 23, the "new Shana", Ibrahim Aidol, a talented wing forward, has already scored three goals at the Olympics.
Wearing No. 10, Ibrahim Aidol came through twice in the final group stage match against Spain to help his team win 2-1 and advance to the last eight. In Egypt's last-eight clash with Paraguay, it was his 88th-minute goal that earned the team a valuable 1-1 draw, and then saved the day in the penalty shootout to help Egypt win.
Although Ibrahim Aidol failed to lead Egypt to the final, his performance has earned him the world's attention. Media in both France and Egypt have been reporting that Ligue 1 rivals Lyon have thrown their hat in the ring for him, and the Egyptian team's transfer fee of 5.5 million euros (about HK$47 million) has not been able to stop the deal from going ahead.
Egypt will face Morocco in the upcoming third-place playoff. And Ibrahim Aidoul, the young star who is expected to join Lyon, may continue his soccer career on French soil.
