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The echoes of Egyptian national team star Mustafa Zeko’s exceptional brilliance in the 2026 World Cup competitions had barely subsided when the player once again stole the spotlight, but this time not with a goal in Argentina’s net, but because of a moving ‘emotional reproach’ that topped social media platforms and sparked millions of sympathies.

It all started with tearful TV statements by the player’s mother, in which she expressed the bitterness of his preoccupation with her after returning from the World Cup trip in America, prompting the young star to quickly respond with a public message to calm his mother’s heart and contain the crisis.

In an emotional TV interview on the program ‘Sabaya Al-Khair’, Mustafa Zeko’s mother could not hold back her tears as she revealed details of their relationship after his father’s death, pointing out that the glamour of fame and celebrations of the World Cup achievement deprived her of seeing her son since his return to Egypt.

The mother said in a sad tone: ‘I miss Zeko so much and he hasn’t come to me until now after he returned from America because of celebrations and meetings… Football has taken him away from me a lot.’

The mother dropped a surprise about her reproach to him, saying: ‘I called him and told him I want to go to the stadium and meet you there since you are not free to come, he told me it would be a hassle and many people… I used to be number one in his life, and now his wife has become number one and I have become number two.’ Despite her reproach, she affirmed that she is proud of what her son has achieved, saying: ‘I am satisfied and accepting… He is my son and I raised him.’

In the face of these tearful words that shook social media platforms and quickly became a trend in Egypt, Mustafa Zeko rushed to contain the situation and reconcile with his mother publicly and decisively.

Zeko posted on his official Instagram account a set of warm photos of him with his mother, and captioned them with decisive and moving words: ‘You have always been number one, oh mother of all, and you will remain number one,’ thus ending any interpretations and restoring his mother’s dignity in front of millions of followers.

Behind the scenes of the Argentina earthquake

This family activity comes after Zeko wrote a brilliant career with the Pharaohs in the World Cup, scoring two precious goals: the first in New Zealand’s net in the group stage, and the second in Argentina’s net in the round of 16 in the dramatic match that ended in favor of the Tango with a score of 3-2.

Zeko revealed in statements to the program ‘Malab On’ amusing behind-the-scenes, as his teammate Hamdi Fathi joked with him after his goal against Argentina saying: ‘You don’t know how to play but you are a scorer.’ Zeko also talked about the behind-the-scenes of the shot that turned into a famous trend on social media, explaining that he left the Argentina match angry and affected by the loss, and then made his famous spontaneous statement in English ‘Not Fair’, a phrase that stuck in the minds of fans until they started calling him by it instead of his name.