Ramzi Saleh
Encyclopedia
Ramzi Saleh (born August 8, 1980 in Cairo, Egypt) is a Palestinian
footballer
. He plays the Goalkeeper position for Smouha
of the Egyptian Premier League
and is the current captain of the Palestine national football team
. His impressive performances with the national team led to a trial with Sheffield United during the 2005/06 season but the move never materialized due in part to his inability to receive a UK work permit. He is currently the second most capped player for Palestine at international level, behind only fellow Gazan Saeb Jendeya
. Saleh had participated in every single FIFA World Cup qualification
campaign for Palestine (2002–2014) until injury prevented him for playing against Afghanistan and Thailand in the preliminary rounds of 2014 World Cup qualifying
.
, Egypt
to Palestinian parents. At the age of 10, Saleh who had move to Jeddah, started to play for Al-Ittihad at the youth level but eventually returned to the Gaza Strip with his family when his father retired, he signed with Shabab Jabalia in 1999. The following year, he was called up to the national team where he quickly became the undisputed number one, turning in several key saves.
, Shabab Jabalia, in a show of good faith, released him without demanding a transfer fee. After months of playing second fiddle and no official appearances he was awarded the starting job for Al-Ahly after a series of mistakes by incumbent Amir Abdelhamid
. He made his first appearance against Ismaily in a 0-1 loss on the 20th Matchday of the 2008/09 season. In the following match, a 2-2 draw with Petrol Asyut
, Saleh put in a match of the man performance helping Al-Ahly
salvage a point In recognition of his performances, he was awarded Egyptian Premier League Player of the Month for the month of March. The 2008/09 season ended with Ramzi Saleh helping Al-Ahly to another league title after defeating Ismaily 1-0 in a playoff.
After suffering an injury before the 2009/10 season, Ramzi Saleh saw his position go to youngster Ahmed Adel
. In the winter transfer window, manager Hossam Al-Badry chose to bring in Sherif Ekramy
to fill the post. At the end of the season, Ramzi Saleh elected to leave the club on a bosman.
. During the winter transfer window, Al-Ahly acquired Sherif Ekramy
relegating Ramzi Saleh to third choice goalkeeper. The situation was so bad that Saleh was seen playing as a striker- and scoring- during one training session. After much contemplation, Saleh decided to leave Al-Ahly, it was suspected that he would be included in the transfer that brought Geddo to the Red Castle, but negotiations fell through at the final moment and he was excluded from the deal. While on National Team duty in Sudan Saleh was approached by Al-Merreikh President Gamal Al-Wali to play for the Sudanese side. With no other offers on the table Saleh agreed to sign for the Red Devils in principle. In the following weeks Ramzi received offers to join Alexandria United, Smouha, Zamalek
, and Al-Hilal Riyadh but refused these offers stating that he had to stay true to his word. Saleh signed a two year contract was worth $1 million. His time with Al-Merreikh was marked by inconsistency and injury. After a three week layoff, Saleh returned to Al-Merreikh's starting lineup to face Al-Hilal in the decisive encounter of the season. Al-Merreikh would lose the game 3-1 with Saleh being booed by his own fans.
In the off-season, Al-Merreikh brought in Ramzi Saleh's former Al-Ahly manager Hossam Al-Badry with Saleh playing a key role in facilitating the transaction. Despite this, Al-Badry chose to buy Essam El-Hadary
from Zamalek
for $700,000. Due to his large salary and unwillingness to sit on the bench, Al-Merreikh released Ramzi Saleh from his contract.
Ramzi Saleh elected to operate on his ACL in order to clear up any concerns potential clubs may have signing him. The operation was conducted in Germany in February 2011 by the same doctors who had done the same procedure on Ahmad Hassan's knee. As a result of the surgery, Saleh missed the rest of the 2010/11 season as well as 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
matches against Afghanistan and Thailand. On July 28 it was announced that Saleh had agreed to a 3-year contract with Smouha
worth 2 million Egyptian Pounds.
Palestinian people
The Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs , are an Arabic-speaking people with origins in Palestine. Despite various wars and exoduses, roughly one third of the world's Palestinian population continues to reside in the area encompassing the West Bank, the Gaza...
footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
. He plays the Goalkeeper position for Smouha
Smouha Sporting Club
Smouha Sporting Club is an Egyptian football club based in the neighborhood of Smouha, Alexandria, Egypt. It was founded in 1949 by Joseph Smouha.-History:...
of the Egyptian Premier League
Egyptian Premier League
The Egyptian Premier League is an Egyptian professional league for football clubs and represents the top flight of Egyptian football. The championship consists of nineteen competing teams in a home and away league system. It is currently known as the Etisalat Egyptian Premier League, after the...
and is the current captain of the Palestine national football team
Palestine national football team
The Palestine national football team is the national team of the Palestinian Football Association, representing the Palestinian National Authority.The Palestine Football Federation was founded in 1952...
. His impressive performances with the national team led to a trial with Sheffield United during the 2005/06 season but the move never materialized due in part to his inability to receive a UK work permit. He is currently the second most capped player for Palestine at international level, behind only fellow Gazan Saeb Jendeya
Saeb Jendeya
Saeb Jendeya in Gaza, Gaza Strip is a Palestinian footballer who plays the Libero position for both club and country. He has amassed 70 caps since Palestine's induction into FIFA in 1998...
. Saleh had participated in every single FIFA World Cup qualification
FIFA World Cup qualification
The FIFA World Cup qualification is the process that a national association football team goes through to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Finals. The FIFA World Cup is a global event, so qualification is required to reduce the large field of participants from about 200 to 32.Qualifying tournaments...
campaign for Palestine (2002–2014) until injury prevented him for playing against Afghanistan and Thailand in the preliminary rounds of 2014 World Cup qualifying
2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
The Asian Football Confederation section of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification sees teams competing for berths in the final tournament in Brazil...
.
Early years
Ramzi Saleh was born in CairoCairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
to Palestinian parents. At the age of 10, Saleh who had move to Jeddah, started to play for Al-Ittihad at the youth level but eventually returned to the Gaza Strip with his family when his father retired, he signed with Shabab Jabalia in 1999. The following year, he was called up to the national team where he quickly became the undisputed number one, turning in several key saves.
Move to Al-Ahly
After being awarded a 3-day trial with Egyptian footballing giants Al-AhlyAl-Ahly
Al-Ahly Sports Club , commonly known as simply Al-Ahly, is an Egyptian sporting club. Founded in April 1907, Al-Ahly was named in 2000 by the Confederation of African Football as the "African Club of the Century"...
, Shabab Jabalia, in a show of good faith, released him without demanding a transfer fee. After months of playing second fiddle and no official appearances he was awarded the starting job for Al-Ahly after a series of mistakes by incumbent Amir Abdelhamid
Amir Abdelhamid
Amir Abdelhamid is an Egyptian footballer. He plays the Goalkeeper position for the Egyptian club El-Masry. He is the first goalkeeper in Al-Masry now. he started his career in El-Ahly and became his first goalkeeper after Essam El-Hadary escaped to FC Sion in 21 February 2008. He proved...
. He made his first appearance against Ismaily in a 0-1 loss on the 20th Matchday of the 2008/09 season. In the following match, a 2-2 draw with Petrol Asyut
Asyut Petroleum
Asyut Petroleum or Petrol Asyut is an Egyptian club currently competing in the Egyptian Second Division club.In 2008-2009 season, they reached the Egypt Cup semi-final, only to get knocked out on the 27th of January 2009.- Current squad :...
, Saleh put in a match of the man performance helping Al-Ahly
Al-Ahly
Al-Ahly Sports Club , commonly known as simply Al-Ahly, is an Egyptian sporting club. Founded in April 1907, Al-Ahly was named in 2000 by the Confederation of African Football as the "African Club of the Century"...
salvage a point In recognition of his performances, he was awarded Egyptian Premier League Player of the Month for the month of March. The 2008/09 season ended with Ramzi Saleh helping Al-Ahly to another league title after defeating Ismaily 1-0 in a playoff.
After suffering an injury before the 2009/10 season, Ramzi Saleh saw his position go to youngster Ahmed Adel
Ahmed Adel Abd El-Moneam
Ahmed Adel Abd El-Moneam is an Egyptian goalkeeper, playing for the Egyptian football team El Ahly.Ahmed made his competitive debut for El Ahly against Ismaily in season 2007/08 and it was 1-1 draw after Essam El-Hadary departure to FC Sion and Amir Abdelhamid's injury.Ahmed Adel was selected to...
. In the winter transfer window, manager Hossam Al-Badry chose to bring in Sherif Ekramy
Sherif Ekramy
Sherif Ekramy is an Egyptian footballer. He currently plays as a goalkeeper for Al-Ahly and the Egyptian national team.He has previously played for Feyenoord, Ankaragücü and most recently, El Gouna FC, with whom he helped win promotion to the top flight for the 2009-2010 season.His spell in the...
to fill the post. At the end of the season, Ramzi Saleh elected to leave the club on a bosman.
Al-Merreikh
At the start of the 2009-10 Ramzi Saleh picked up an injury and missed all of the preseason with Al-Ahly. As a result, his position was usurped by Al-Ahly youth team player Ahmed Adel Abd El-MoneamAhmed Adel Abd El-Moneam
Ahmed Adel Abd El-Moneam is an Egyptian goalkeeper, playing for the Egyptian football team El Ahly.Ahmed made his competitive debut for El Ahly against Ismaily in season 2007/08 and it was 1-1 draw after Essam El-Hadary departure to FC Sion and Amir Abdelhamid's injury.Ahmed Adel was selected to...
. During the winter transfer window, Al-Ahly acquired Sherif Ekramy
Sherif Ekramy
Sherif Ekramy is an Egyptian footballer. He currently plays as a goalkeeper for Al-Ahly and the Egyptian national team.He has previously played for Feyenoord, Ankaragücü and most recently, El Gouna FC, with whom he helped win promotion to the top flight for the 2009-2010 season.His spell in the...
relegating Ramzi Saleh to third choice goalkeeper. The situation was so bad that Saleh was seen playing as a striker- and scoring- during one training session. After much contemplation, Saleh decided to leave Al-Ahly, it was suspected that he would be included in the transfer that brought Geddo to the Red Castle, but negotiations fell through at the final moment and he was excluded from the deal. While on National Team duty in Sudan Saleh was approached by Al-Merreikh President Gamal Al-Wali to play for the Sudanese side. With no other offers on the table Saleh agreed to sign for the Red Devils in principle. In the following weeks Ramzi received offers to join Alexandria United, Smouha, Zamalek
Zamalek
Zamalek Sporting Club , is an Egyptian sporting club based in Meet Okba, Giza, Egypt that plays in the Egyptian Premier League....
, and Al-Hilal Riyadh but refused these offers stating that he had to stay true to his word. Saleh signed a two year contract was worth $1 million. His time with Al-Merreikh was marked by inconsistency and injury. After a three week layoff, Saleh returned to Al-Merreikh's starting lineup to face Al-Hilal in the decisive encounter of the season. Al-Merreikh would lose the game 3-1 with Saleh being booed by his own fans.
In the off-season, Al-Merreikh brought in Ramzi Saleh's former Al-Ahly manager Hossam Al-Badry with Saleh playing a key role in facilitating the transaction. Despite this, Al-Badry chose to buy Essam El-Hadary
Essam El-Hadary
Essam El-Hadary is an Egyptian goalkeeper, playing for Sudan Premier League side El-Merreikh.-Club career:Swiss club FC Sion announced that they had signed El-Hadary to a four-year contract in February 2008, despite claims to the contrary from his club Al-Ahly...
from Zamalek
Zamalek
Zamalek Sporting Club , is an Egyptian sporting club based in Meet Okba, Giza, Egypt that plays in the Egyptian Premier League....
for $700,000. Due to his large salary and unwillingness to sit on the bench, Al-Merreikh released Ramzi Saleh from his contract.
Move to Smouha
On December 18, 2010, Zamalek announced a two and a half year deal with the Palestinian Goalkeeper.. The deal broke down days later after the two sides failed to agree on a financial compensation package. On January 4, 2010, Ramzi Saleh signed an 18 month contract with Haras El-Hodood.However, days later the deal was broken, also due to financial issues, the player later revealed that his two contracts were terminated due to his former agent sending messages to the two clubs warning them about an injury that Saleh sustained in 1998 that still affects his performance. He later thanked Haras El-Hodood management for being honest with him and Zamalek management for refusing to give away information about his injury so that they will not jeopardize his future.Ramzi Saleh elected to operate on his ACL in order to clear up any concerns potential clubs may have signing him. The operation was conducted in Germany in February 2011 by the same doctors who had done the same procedure on Ahmad Hassan's knee. As a result of the surgery, Saleh missed the rest of the 2010/11 season as well as 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
The 2014 FIFA World Cup will feature 32 teams. One place was allocated to the hosts, , but no automatic place is given to the defending champions, . The remaining 31 places will be determined by a qualification process, in which entrants from among the other 207 teams from the six FIFA...
matches against Afghanistan and Thailand. On July 28 it was announced that Saleh had agreed to a 3-year contract with Smouha
Smouha Sporting Club
Smouha Sporting Club is an Egyptian football club based in the neighborhood of Smouha, Alexandria, Egypt. It was founded in 1949 by Joseph Smouha.-History:...
worth 2 million Egyptian Pounds.