By William Loughnan, Year 12
Omar Khaled Mohamed Abdel Salam Marmoush, born on 7 February 1999 in Cairo, Egypt, has swiftly made a name for himself in the ranks of international football. His ascendancy from the youth academies of Cairo to Manchester City in the Premier League is a testament to his unwavering dedication, potential and resilience.
Marmoush started his football career at Wadi Degla, a club renowned for possessing top-class youth development programs. He made his professional debut in the Egyptian Premier League in July of 2016, at the young age of 17. European scouts quickly noticed his great potential, and in 2017, he was transferred to VfL Wolfsburg.
At Wolfsburg, Marmoush grew through the club’s youth and reserve teams. His hard work eventually paid off when he made his Bundesliga debut on May 26, 2020, against Bayer Leverkusen. To gain further first-team experience, he was loaned out to FC St. Pauli and VfB Stuttgart, where he grabbed the limelight with his performances. In particular, during his loan stint at Stuttgart, he was named Bundesliga Rookie of the Month in September 2021 and March 2022.
Marmoush then moved to Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023. His debut season was nothing short of phenomenal as he netted 17 goals in all competitions. The 2024-2025 season was witness to him scaling his game to a whole new level as he netted 15 goals mid-season and was only behind Harry Kane in the Bundesliga goal scorers’ table. His career-best performances, two goals against Bayern Munich being among many, solidified his position as a striker to be feared.
January 2025 was the turning point in Marmoush’s career. Manchester City acquired him for a reported €70 million, the first Egyptian to don the Sky Blue jersey. Not only did the transfer underscore his increasing stature, but also the increasing acceptance of Egyptian talent globally. City manager Pep Guardiola was optimistic, stating that Marmoush’s versatility and goal-scoring prowess would be an excellent boost to the team.
On the international stage, Marmoush has been a key performer for the Egyptian national team. He has appeared 35 times and scored six goals since debuting in 2019. His playing style has drawn comparisons with compatriot Mohamed Salah. However, Marmoush is eager to forge his own path, emphasizing his desire to forge his own path in football.
Marmoush is highly regarded for his agility, technical skill, and adaptability on the field. Versatile enough to feature in various attacking positions, his ability to cause problems for defenders and provide pinpoint set-pieces ensures he is always dangerous. Comparisons have even drawn parallels between his style of play and the best form of elite players like Mohamed Salah and Lionel Messi.
Aside from his on-field success, Marmoush’s career is a testament to mixed cultural influences. An Egyptian by birth, he was partially raised in Canada, thus holding dual citizenship. Such a mixed heritage has facilitated a broader outlook for him, which has helped him adjust and be resilient across different footballing ecosystems.
Omar Marmoush’s journey from the local fields of Cairo to the Premier League is a classic tale of the potential of talent nurtured with determination and ambition. As he starts this new chapter with Manchester City, fans and experts alike are holding their breath in anticipation of “The New Egyptian King’s” impact on the club and the football world at large.
