The 25-year-old has been recently criticized for some lacklustre performances with the Pharaohs, and many called for him to be dropped from Hassan Shehata's starting line-up.

"My record and performances for Egypt earned me my regular status in the national side," Meteb told Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadhi.

"I'm Egypt's top goal scorer among the current generation with 28 goals, then comes Amr Zaki with 25."

Meteb added that his good relation with Shehata doesn’t mean the national coach will favour him at the expense of better strikers.

"I've always done very well for Egypt and that's why I get called up for the squad.

"I'd happily sit on the bench if there are better strikers than me."

Undecided Future

Meteb is currently on loan at Ittihad from Ahli until the end of the season, and the forward said that he's yet to decide if he'll return to the Red Devils or not.

"I still have a running contract with Ahli, and I'm yet to discuss the issue with Ittihad officials."

Prior to joining Ittihad last summer, some reports suggested that Meteb might be having a spat with Ahli coach Manuel Jose.

"This is all not true. I respect Jose and I owe him a lot of what I know about football."