Joining City during our most challenging season for perhaps a decade was not the easiest of introductions to life in Manchester, but Marmoush found his feet quickly, ending the campaign with eight goals in 25 appearances.
“Last year, we had a lot of injuries, so the results weren't helping us much, especially since we're Manchester City, one of the clubs that always competes for championships—the Champions League, the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, FIFA Club World Cup – we are always competing for everything” he reflected.
“So, it was one of the few years where the results weren't in our favour all at once. So, how did it happen? I feel it's normal that no club in history wins every tournament every year in a row. There's always a period where you have to reset and change things you were used to in order to rebuild from scratch. This year, we started the year very, very well, and so far, we're even winning the matches have given us a certain style on the pitch, the Manchester City style that everyone knows. We win, with conviction, yes, convincingly. So, I feel a huge difference this year in the performance."
So how does he cope with the pressures of being at a club like Manchester City as well as being a huge star in a football crazy nation like Egypt?
“The person outside of football, Omar, is the same Omar on the field. You're watching him score goals, but you really need to separate the two," he said.
"When you're on the pitch and in training, you'll perform because when you're off the pitch, you're disconnected. You're not thinking about anything. Of course, it's difficult if you have an important match or are about to play because you start thinking about the match and what might happen.
"But you have to try as much as you can to [keep your mind clear] and do things like go for a walk, go shopping, read a book —there are so many things you can do to disconnect your mind from work. This will give you a positive feeling, so you'll come to work hungry again. I feel the most important thing is to separate the two.”
Now, as the Egyptian squad reunites from all corners of the globe, Marmoush’s sights are firmly set on helping the Pharaohs become African champions for the eighth time – a task he relishes.
"I go into the matches wanting to win and give my best performance, whether at City or with the national team,” he said. “As a football player, you go everywhere wanting to perform at your best. For Egypt, I am representing my country, after all. So, basically, your mentality is that in every match—cup, league, national team, Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, World Cup— you go into every match with the same mindset, trying to give your absolute best.”
And, of course, he will be playing alongside Liverpool’s Mo Salah, Egypt's greatest player and somebody Omar cites as one of his biggest inspirations: “When we're with the national team, we try to joke around with each other as a team to lighten the mood. The atmosphere is all about football, and the whole point is that your life revolves around football, so when you go to the national team, of course you still talk about football, but we try to separate it as much as possible and joke about other things.
“I feel that people are proud that there are two Egyptians playing in the English Premier League, and that they are the two best clubs in the world. And of course, Mohamed Salah, with everything he has achieved, all the history he has made so far, is still going strong.
"I feel that [the Egyptian people] are proud of both of us.”
Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri are taking part in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 which begins on 21 December and lasts until the final on 18 January. Good luck to both our players from everyone at Manchester City.
Words: David Clayton with thanks to Sylvie Minous and Raouf Aziz