Throughout the history of soccer, Egypt has consistently played a pivotal role in exporting talented players to European clubs, underscoring its significant impact on the global soccer stage.
Egypt has long established itself as a dominant force in African soccer, securing victory in the African Cup of Nationsโan esteemed continental tournamentโon seven occasions.
In this article, we are analyzing who is the best Egyptian soccer player of all time on the basis of statistics with the final verdict in the last section.
Ahmed Hassan
Ahmed Hassan, a versatile player known for his roles as an attacking midfielder and right winger, holds an esteemed place in soccer history.
Remarkably, he ranks as the fourth most capped international male soccer player globally, boasting a remarkable 184 appearances while proudly representing the Egypt national teamโa record-breaking achievement within the Egyptian context.
Furthermore, Hassanโs exceptional talent was duly recognized, as he clinched the Africa Cup of Nations Best Player title not once but twice, in 2006 and 2010. His remarkable skills also earned him a well-deserved spot on the Africa Cup of Nations Dream Team in both 2006 and 2010. He scored 33 goals in 184 appearances for Egypt in his illustrious career.
Ahmed Hassan was ranked 25th in Bleacher Reportโs Top 50 Players from Africa back in 2013.
In the span of his illustrious career, Ahmed Hassan graced the pitch in a staggering 486 matches, leaving an indelible mark with 138 goals and 66 assists to his name. His impact extended beyond national borders, as he embarked on a successful European journey, most notably with Anderlecht in Belgium.
Embed from Getty ImagesHis time with Anderlecht he witnessed triumphs, including the Belgian First Division championship in the 2006-07 season and the Belgian Cup victory in the 2007-08 season. He scored 25 goals and 10 assists in 85 matches.
Additionally, Hassanโs soccer prowess extended to Turkey, where he donned the jersey of Beลiktaล. During his tenure with the club, he won Tรผrkiye Kupasฤฑ (Turkish Cup) in the 2005-06 season. He scored 30 goals and 19 assists in 104 matches for the Turkish side.
Hossam Hassan
Hossam Hassan, a formidable striker renowned for his scoring prowess, holds a revered place in Egyptian soccer history. With an impressive tally of 83 goals in 176 appearances, he proudly stands as Egyptโs all-time leading goal-scorer.
His achievements extended to the international stage, where he clinched three African Cup of Nations titles with his national team and triumphed in the Arab Nations Club in 1992.
In recognition of his exceptional contributions to African soccer, the Confederation of African Soccer gave him the prestigious title of the best African Soccer Player of the last 50 years in 1998.
Hassanโs illustrious career saw him represent the Egyptian national team in the 1990 World Cup and participate in a remarkable seven Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. His impact transcended borders, cementing his legacy as one of the finest players in African soccer history. Remarkably, he holds the distinction of being the 15th most-capped player in menโs international soccer.
Throughout his career, Hossam Hassan primarily showcased his talents with his hometown club, Al Ahly, in the Egyptian League. There, he consistently stood out, ranking first in several statistical categories. His association with Al Ahly yielded an impressive haul of 25 titles, including a remarkable 11 league championships.
Beyond the shores of Egypt, Hassan made waves in European soccer. His memorable moment came when he notched four goals in a single game while playing for the Swiss club Neuchรขtel Xamax against Celtic in the 1991โ92 UEFA Cup, further solidifying his reputation as a goal-scoring phenomenon.
Essam El-Hadary
In the annals of soccer history, the legendary goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, affectionately nicknamed the โHigh Dam,โ left an indelible mark. Most notably associated with Al Ahly throughout his club career, El-Hadaryโs remarkable journey was marked by an astounding eight Egyptian Premier League titles.
Ranked third on Egyptโs all-time appearances list, El-Hadary made an astonishing 159 appearances for his beloved national team. On the international stage, his legacy shone brightly, with four African Cup of Nations titles and a victorious World Military Cup campaign in 2001 proudly adorning his record.
Embed from Getty ImagesEl Hadaryโs exceptional goalkeeping skills werenโt just limited to domestic and continental honors; he was recognized as the best goalkeeper in the CAF Champions League in 2001, 2005, and 2006. His prowess extended to the African Cup of Nations, where he was named the Best Goalkeeper in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2017.
Notably, El-Hadary etched his name into the history books by becoming the oldest soccer player to grace the FIFA World Cup when he made an appearance in the 2018 edition.
A remarkable 22 years after his debut for the Pharaohs, he not only held the distinction of being the oldest debutant at the FIFA World Cup but also became the first African goalkeeper to save a penalty in the illustrious tournament.
Throughout his illustrious club career, El-Hadary boasted an impressive tally of 555 matches, characterized by an astonishing 273 clean sheetsโa testament to his exceptional abilities in keeping the opposition at bay. With only 470 goals scored against him, his goalkeeping prowess stood as a symbol of resilience and excellence.
Mohamed Salah
At the forefront of Egyptian soccer today stands Mohamed Salah, often hailed as the current king of the sport in Egypt. Over the past few years, he has undeniably cemented his status as one of the worldโs premier forwards, consistently delivering stellar performances on the pitch.
His journey in the English Premier League with Liverpool has been nothing short of remarkable, conquering one of the most competitive leagues globally.
Since his arrival at Liverpool in 2017, Salah has emerged as a prolific winner and a force to be reckoned with among forwards worldwide. Predominantly deployed as a right winger, his accolades speak volumes.
Salahโs Accodales
Notably, he clinched the Egyptian Player of the Year award twice, in 2017 and 2018. Additionally, Salahโs goal-scoring prowess led him to claim the Premier League top scorer title in three seasons while donning Liverpoolโs colors. His excellence further manifested in being honored with the Premier League Player of the Year award on two occasions, in 2018 and 2022.
Beyond individual accolades, Salah played pivotal roles in Liverpoolโs conquests of both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. In the 2022-23 season, he etched his name in Liverpoolโs history by surpassing Robbie Fowler to become the clubโs all-time top Premier League goal-scorer.
Salahโs remarkable journey doesnโt confine itself to England alone. He triumphed in Switzerland with Basel and in Italy with AS Roma.
As of the present, his striking career statistics show that he has scored 265 goals in 560 matches, with an impressive tally of 134 assists. Remarkably, at 31 years old, he still has ample time to grace the game with his brilliance.
On the flip side, despite his illustrious career, Salah has yet to guide Egypt to an AFCON (African Cup of Nations) championship, with their best-ever finish being a final appearance in 2022. For Egypt, Salah has netted 51 goals in 89 caps, securing his place as the national teamโs second-highest goal-scorer, trailing only behind the iconic Hossam Hassan.
Other Candidates
Apart from the above four candidates, there are some honorable mentions for this crown of best Egyptian soccer player which include the following:
Mohamed Aboutrika, the esteemed attacking midfielder, left an indelible mark on Egyptian soccer, despite a relatively shorter international career that spanned 100 caps. His impact, however, was nothing short of monumental, as he played a pivotal role in Egyptโs triumphant campaign at the African Cup of Nations in 2006, an achievement etched in the nationโs soccer history.
Aboutrikaโs prowess extended beyond the national team, notably when he clinched victory for Egypt in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations with a memorable winning goal.
His contributions werenโt confined to international success; he played a crucial part in guiding his club, Al Ahly, to secure the bronze medal in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2006, showcasing his influence on both the domestic and global stages.
In the realm of Egyptian talent making waves in European soccer, Mohamed Zidan also stands out, particularly for his impactful tenure in the Bundesliga. With an impressive tally of 47 goals in 155 appearances in the German League, Zidan played an instrumental role in securing two German league titles with Dortmund and achieving AFCON glory with Egypt in 2008 and 2010.
Over his remarkable 11-year career, Zidanโs scoring prowess shone through, amassing a total of 60 goals in 198 matches, complemented by 21 assists. His legacy underscores the enduring influence of Egyptian talent on the global soccer landscape.
Records for Egypt
On the grand stage of international soccer, a select few players distinguish themselves by accumulating numerous appearances and goals. Letโs now delve into the current standings for the most appearances and goals scored for the Egyptian national team.
Most Goals for the Egypt Soccer Team
| Rank | Player | Appearances | Goals | Era |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hossam Hassan | 176 | 68 | 1985โ2006 |
| 2 | Mohamed Salah | 89 | 51 | 2011โpresent |
| 3 | Hassan El Shazly | 62 | 42 | 1961โ1975 |
| 4 | Mohamed Abou Trika | 100 | 38 | 2001โ2013 |
| 5 | Ahmed Hassan | 184 | 33 | 1995โ2012 |
| 6 | Amr Zaki | 63 | 30 | 2004โ2013 |
| 7 | Emad Moteab | 70 | 28 | 2004โ2015 |
| 8 | Ahmed El Kass | 112 | 25 | 1987โ1997 |
| 9 | Mahmoud El Khatib | 54 | 24 | 1974โ1986 |
| 10 | Gamal Abdel Hamid | 79 | 24 | 1979โ1993 |
Most Appearances for the Egypt Soccer Team
| Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Era |
| 1 | Ahmed Hassan | 184 | 33 | 1995-2012 |
| 2 | Hossam Hassan | 176 | 68 | 1985-2006 |
| 3 | Essam El Hadary | 159 | 0 | 1996-2018 |
Verdict
Among the candidates for the best Egyptian Soccer player, one name that looms large is Mohamed Salah. Over the past decade, his prowess as a forward on the European stage has been nothing short of sensational.
While some other candidates for this title may have made significant impacts on the international scene, itโs essential to note that their performances at the club level in European soccer have either been minimal or merely average when compared to Salahโs.
European soccer widely recognizes itself as the pinnacle of the sport, and Salah has consistently ranked among the best in one of its most formidable leagues, collecting multiple prestigious awards along the way.
Moreover, his record of scoring goals for his national team is nothing short of remarkable. However, itโs crucial to avoid pinning the lack of an AFCON victory solely on Salah, as soccer is a team sport with various contributing factors.
When we examine the statistics and the body of evidence, Mohamed Salahโs claim to the title of the best Egyptian soccer player of all time becomes compelling and difficult to dispute.
