Dubai-based youngster likened to Mo Salah determined to take his own path to the top

Dubai: A younger 16-year-old in comparison with a celebrity and tipped for the highest … we now have heard all of it earlier than. However younger Mulham Hmidan has a special story and imaginative and prescient.

Presently balancing time between research and coaching on the La Liga Excessive Efficiency Academy (HPC) within the UAE, the Syrian has the credentials, ambition and abilities to make it to the highest, all of the whereas holding his toes firmly planted on the bottom.

Mulham is simply 16 and has already been touted because the ‘subsequent Mo Salah’, and the younger striker is decided to utilise the amenities at his disposal in Dubai within the UAE to succeed in the very high of the sport and make a reputation for himself.

Very educated and down-to-earth, Mulham is coy in the case of comparisons to the Liverpool star, Champions League winner and Premier League high scorer.

“He’s a hero of mine, that’s for certain, however every participant is their very own and I’ll make my very own path fairly than be in comparison with an enormous title,” he tells Gulf Information in a chat. “Many boys have been in comparison with high stars and by no means made it — be it by ego, harm or flawed profession selections. I favor to maintain my head down and focus on my very own recreation and imaginative and prescient.”

The Syrian can also be conscious of the hardships again in his dwelling nation and is grateful that he managed to keep away from the cruel realities of struggle as his dad and mom took him to the UAE as a baby, however he says Syria will all the time be in his coronary heart initially.

“I’m a proud Syrian,” he says. “I’d not contemplate one other nation, regardless of the potential to signify different nations. Syria is my dwelling. What has occurred there may be unhappy and I wish to contribute what I can by serving for the nationwide group and bringing them some happiness.”

To an outsider, it’s straightforward to see why he’s being likened to superstars reminiscent of Salah, given his superb kind in entrance of objective.

He banged in 23 targets in 16 video games in the course of the La Liga HPC League earlier than the coronavirus-enforced shutdown in 2020, and has additionally shone throughout scouting camps in Spain as a part of his La Liga HPC coaching, and he already has a administration group at Energetic Sports activities Administration within the UK.

Mulham is simply too appreciative of the advantages he gained at HPC and is eager to discover his choices on the high leagues in Europe ought to they come up.

“La Liga HPC has given me an actual foot within the door and I do know I might be given alternatives in Spain because of them. It’s a actual step on the ladder. However I can’t restrict my selections to Spain, however fairly look throughout Europe as determine what’s greatest for me. England is — to me — the highest league on this planet and it might be nice to play there,” he says, earlier than including with fun: “If I can address the chilly climate.”

Mulham didn’t let the lockdown final yr break his stride, illustrating a dedication the place many others his age could have given up.

“It was bizarre final yr,” he says. “A whole lot of our research and coaching was achieved on-line attributable to COVID-19 and distancing, however I simply bought on with it like another problem and hopefully now we will proceed in direction of our objective.”

He additionally admitted he could be comfortable to start his senior profession within the UAE, ought to one of many Arabian Gulf League facet’s give him the chance to indicate his abilities to the larger world. “There are some nice groups proper right here, and we now have seen sensible gamers like Asamoah Gyan and Cannavaro play right here,” he says. “I’d like to kick on from taking part in within the AGL and use it as a stepping stone to Europe.”

With such a wise head on younger shoulders, it appears the would might quickly, actually, be at his toes.