Ajax accepted a €12 million bid for Mido from Marseille in July,[52] and completed the move on a five-year contract on 12 July 2003,[54] which made Mido the most expensive Egyptian player ever.[55] He made his debut for Marseille in 1–0 win over Guingamp on 1 August 2003.[56] Jean-Pierre Papin gave praise to Mido, saying it was down to players like him that the French Ligue 1 was among the top European leagues.[57] He scored against Real Madrid in a UEFA Champions League match in November, which Marseille lost 2–1.[58]