Sports
17:08, 07-Aug-2018
World Cup's oldest player Essam El-Hadary will retire from the international level
Updated
16:53, 10-Aug-2018
["china"]
Share
Copied
Essam El-Hadary, Egypt’s goalkeeper who made history for being the oldest to play in the World Cup, said he will retire from the national team on a message on his Facebook page Tuesday.
The veteran’s international football career started in 1996, and after 22 years, four months and 12 days – he will finally hang up his gloves, after realizing his dream of helping the Pharaohs make it to the World Cup again this past summer.
Egypt's Essam El-Hadary celebrates with teammates after saving a penalty in FIFA World Cup against Saudi Arabia, Russia, on June 25, 2018 /VCG Photo
Egypt's Essam El-Hadary celebrates with teammates after saving a penalty in FIFA World Cup against Saudi Arabia, Russia, on June 25, 2018 /VCG Photo
El-Hadary protected the national team’s window in 159 international games, and helped the team win the African Cup of Nations four times in 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010. He has also won the title of best goalkeeper in the African Championship four times.
The 45-year-old was the oldest ever player in the FIFA World Cup after playing Egypt's final group match against Saudi Arabia on June 25, beating the record set by Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragón in 2014, who was then 43 years and three days old.
At that match, he stopped a penalty kick in the first half of the match, but subsequently conceded from a second penalty just before half time; his team eventually lost the game 1-2 after conceding a late goal in stoppage time.
As for the club level, he will still play in the Egyptian Premier League’s Ismaily Sporting Club.