Mido Vs. Hossam Hassan Explained: Answers to the Biggest Questions in Egyptian Football
Behind the television spectacles lies a surprisingly candid story of personal struggle. After hanging up his boots in 2013, Mido's physical health deteriorated sharply. By 2018, his weight climbed above 150 kilograms (330 lbs). He openly admitted on international broadcasts that simple tasks, such as walking for five consecutive minutes or boarding a boat during a vacation, left him gasping for air. Doctors warned the former Tottenham striker that his internal organs were under catastrophic stress and that he risked premature cardiovascular failure.
He turned his life around through an intense, disciplined health overhaul, shedding more than 50 kilograms (110 lbs) over an 18-month span. He shared his transformation openly on social media, chronicling daily training sessions, diet overhauls, and the psychological toll of adjusting to retirement after a glamorous athletic career. The physical change gave him an entirely second wind.
That personal victory gave Mido a renewed platform. Fans who once ridiculed his post-retirement conditioning were forced to respect his resilience. When he discusses physical standards, endurance, or modern nutrition on television today, he speaks not just as a former Premier League player, but as someone who fought his way back from physical decline.