Rami Rabia, Egypt international, defended his compatriot Omar Marmoush after the latter faced criticism following his dip in form during the World Cup.

Egypt reached the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup before narrowly losing 3-2 to Argentina.

Rabia, appearing on MBC Masr, said that Marmoush is a great player, explaining that big stars like Mohamed Salah and Marmoush are always under close surveillance by opponents because they have the ability to make a difference at any moment.

He added that the accusation of Marmoush being selfish is misplaced, affirming that a great player must sometimes be individualistic on the pitch because he possesses the solutions and confidence to seize opportunities.

Rabia revealed that he spoke with Marmoush before the match against Australia, noting that the Manchester City star was discussing tactical instructions and things he needed to execute on the pitch, which reflects the sense of responsibility he feels towards Egypt, despite the pressure he faces, which can sometimes lead him to make wrong decisions.

He stressed that Omar Marmoush's presence on the pitch gives Egypt great attacking strength, citing the match against Iran, where some opposing players admitted they struggled a lot to stop the City star.

Rabia concluded his remarks by emphasizing that any big star is always in the spotlight, and that Marmoush continually seeks to help the Egyptian national team, but the immense pressure he faces can sometimes lead to missing seemingly easy chances.

— MBC Masr (@mbcmasr) July 11, 2026