Marwan Attia Reflects on Argentina Clash: 'We Were in Shock'

Marwan Attia, the Al Ahly midfielder and Egypt international, shared insights into the Pharaohs' preparations for their showdown against Argentina in the 2026 World Cup. He highlighted the significant role of head coach Hossam Hassan in instilling confidence in the players, emphasizing that the team approached the match with a victorious spirit and clear determination despite the formidable opponent. Attia stated in an interview on the program 'Faiq in the World Cup' on MBC Masr that his self-confidence was one of the key factors in his readiness for the match, explaining, 'As long as you are confident in yourself and do your part, you will play. I don't focus on the names of the opponents because I'm used to playing against top players.' He added that Hossam Hassan played a crucial role in the psychological aspect, saying, 'Captain Hossam Hassan makes you step onto the pitch without fear of any opponent, and you feel like you are playing a regular match, which makes a big difference.' The Al Ahly player also discussed his preparations to face Lionel Messi, stating, 'I studied Messi well, watched the Inter Miami match, followed the technical analysis, and went into the match confident that we would perform well and that we could win.' Attia recalled the difficult moments after conceding the third goal, saying, 'After the third goal, we were in shock because everything changed suddenly. We sat on the pitch, and no one could speak; we didn't want to leave the field.'