Zidan, who tasted AFCON glory with the Pharaohs at the 2008 and 2010 editions of the competition, could have had another winners' medal to his name had he not been convinced against taking part in his nation's triumphant 2006 campaign.
At the time, the former FC Midtjylland star was playing his club football on loan at German club Mainz 05, where he was fast establishing himself as a key player under Klopp's management, when he elected against joining his international teammate for the competition.
"...Egypt's attack consisted of Hossam Hassan, Mido, Emad Moteab, Amr Zaki and Mohamed Aboutrika. If I had joined, it would've been very difficult for me to participate. But in Mainz, I was one of the team's most important players and one of its goalscorers, and my presence was very important.
"I spoke with [then national team coach] Shawky Gharib and he understood the reasons for me not being able to join them. I was touched, of course, after the national team won the tournament."
Zidan would become Mainz's then-record signing in January the following year after the club forked out €2.8 million (R48m) for his signature, before later joining Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, where he won two Bundesliga titles with the club.
He also made up for his 2006 heartbreak by scoring three times across Egypt's 2008 and 2010 AFCON-winning campaigns, and made 41 appearances in total for the national team, scoring 10 goals.
