Mohammed Aboutrika: Best Football Player who did not Play in Europe or South America

Born in 1978, Mohammed Aboutrika was an Egyptian professional football player widely known for his role as a second striker both with Al Ahly and the Egyptian national team. For some football purists, Mohammed Aboutrika was arguably the best football player not to have spent any of his playing days either in Europe or in South America. His career is full of achievements and titles that would make some of the best footballers in the world to blush with embarrassment. Coming into the Egyptian league in 2003 with Tersana, Aboutrika became an instant sensation in the league, a feat that earned him a move to the club of the century, Al Ahly in January 2004. At his new club, Aboutrika scored 11 goals in just over 13 appearances and was the second top scorer in the Egyptian league with 14 goals, thereby attracting the attention of the Egyptian national team.

Starting his debut for the national team later that year, Aboutrika scored his first 5 goals in 6 matches and proved to be lethal while playing just behind the main striker, a position he preferred to play in. With success in the national team, Aboutrika helped his club, Al Ahly to a second successive league championship and was the third-highest goal scorer in the league, while helping his teammate Emad Moteab to the golden boot. It was also in 2005 that Aboutrika showed his footballing prowess at the continental level where he scored an amazing 30-yard goal in the final against Etoile du Sahel in the CAF Champions League. 

Aboutrika’s great career continued to shine in 2006, especially with the national team where he helped his host nation to an Africa Cup glory by scoring two crucial goals against both Libya and Ivory Coast. To add flare to an already successful year, Aboutrika helped Al Ahly to its second successive CAF Champions League trophy and was the top scorer in the tournament with 8 goals, the last one being a 92nd match-winner in the final against CS Sfaxien. He also helped his club to another league title, Egypt Cup, CAF Super Cup and was said to be one of the players to watch in FIFA club world cup tournament in Japan. Being the first club to ever go to two successive FIFA club world cups, Al Ahly through the help of Mohammed Aboutrika won the bronze and lost only one match the entire season. As a superbly gifted player, Aboutrika was at the heart of his team's every move and controlled the pace of the game at his own wish.

His first nomination for the African Player of the Year was a dream come true for the decorated Egyptian player, even though he finished second. He was lauded as the best African Player playing in Africa, and this was evident as he helped his club to a third successive league title. This was again followed by another Africa Nations Cup triumph in 2008, as well as the BBC African Player of the Year award. Aboutrika's prowess continued with some mesmeric displays at the Confederations Cup in South Africa in 2009, as well as his seventh CAF Champions League medal.

In terms of African football, Mohammed Aboutrika was one of the greatest names and was always a glaring light in continental football. The only blight in his bright career is that he never had the chance to appear at the finals of FIFA World Cup with the national team. The reason, they always fell short in qualification.