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In a telephone interview with Sada Al-Balad TV, renowned Egyptian archaeologist and Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawwas talked about recent visits by international celebrities to Egypt and the pyramids. Hawwas commended actor Will Smith, whom he described as a personal friend, and said that Smith had paid for his entire visit out of his own pocket. Messi was described by Hawwas as a "moron" who had "a blank look" on his face when the Egyptian archaeology was explained to him. The comments aired on Sada Al-Balad TV on March 5. Hawwas served a one-month term as Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs until the toppling of President Mubarak.
Interviewer: "What was the difference between the visits of Messi and Will Smith?"
Dr. Zahi Hawwas: "You said it yourself before."
Interviewer: "Right."
Dr. Zahi Hawwas: "Several companies paid Messi half a million dollars to come here. Besides, Messi is a moron. I am sorry I have to say this. As I was explaining the archeological sites to him, he had a blank look on his face. I told him things so amazing that if I had told them to a rock, it would have started talking, but he just kept looking at me like a moron. I turned around and left."
Interviewer: "You did not finish (the tour) with him..."
Dr. Zahi Hawwas: "Will Smith, on the other hand, came here at his own expense. He paid for a private tour at the pyramids, and for the entrance to the Pyramid of Djoser by himself. His whole visit was at his own private expense. I said to him: 'I am Egypt's gift to you. In addition, the Minister of Archaeology opened the Egyptian Museum for you.'"
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