Egyptian · Kafr El-Battikh, Egypt · Born 15 January 1973Record-breaking Egyptian goalkeeper who became the oldest player to appear at a World Cup and the oldest to keep a clean sheet at an Africa Cup of Nations.
At 45 years and 161 days old, Essam El-Hadary started Egypt's 2018 World Cup group match against Saudi Arabia to become the oldest player ever to appear at a World Cup, saving a penalty in the process — a fitting final chapter for a career that had already produced four Africa Cup of Nations titles and 159 international caps. His performances earned a move to Al Ahly in 1996, initially as reserve goalkeeper behind veteran Ahmed Shobeir, before an injury to Shobeir gave him his opportunity within a year. El-Hadary spent 12 years as Al Ahly's first-choice goalkeeper, winning the Egyptian Premier League eight times, the Egyptian Cup four times, and the CAF Champions League three times. He memorably saved a penalty from Didier Drogba in the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations final to help secure the title for Egypt, one of four AFCON titles he won with the national team between 1998 and 2010. A transfer dispute involving a move to Switzerland's FC Sion led to a lengthy FIFA suspension, but El-Hadary later played for the club, winning the Swiss Cup in 2009. He continued playing into his mid-forties, and in 2017, at 44, became the oldest player ever to appear in an Africa Cup of Nations match. El-Hadary's most historic moment came at the 2018 World Cup in Russia: selected to start Egypt's final group match against Saudi Arabia at 45 years and 161 days old, he broke Faryd Mondragón's record to become the oldest player ever to appear at a World Cup, saving a penalty in the process. He retired having earned 159 caps for Egypt, and later worked in Saudi Arabian club football before returning home.
Oldest player ever to appear at a FIFA World Cup (age 45)
At 45 years and 161 days, he became the oldest player in World Cup history by appearing for Egypt against Saudi Arabia at the 2018 World Cup — and saved a penalty to boot.
Did You Know?How They Played
Commanding presence, excellent shot-stopping ability, strong leadership and penalty-saving specialist
Lasting Impact
Egypt's most capped player and legendary goalkeeper who dominated African football for two decades
Career Honours
- AFCON 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010
- CAF Champions League (multiple) with Al Ahly
- CAF Champions League 2005
- CAF Champions League 2006
- CAF Champions League 2008
- CAF Champions League 2012
- Egyptian Premier League (multiple)
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damietta | 1993–1996 | — | 58 | 0 |
| Al Ahly | 1996–2008 | — | 412 | 1 |
| Sion | 2008–2009 | — | 32 | 0 |
| Ismaily | 2009–2010 | — | 20 | 0 |
| Zamalek | 2010–2011 | — | 4 | 0 |
| Al Merreikh | 2011–2013 | — | 92 | 0 |
| Al-Ittihad Alexandria | 2012–2012 | loan | 1 | 0 |
| Wadi Degla | 2013–2014 | — | 14 | 0 |
| Ismaily | 2014–2015 | — | 38 | 0 |
| Wadi Degla | 2015–2017 | — | 57 | 0 |
| Al-Taawoun | 2017–2018 | — | 25 | 1 |
| Ismaily | 2018–2019 | — | 15 | 0 |
| Nogoom | 2019–2020 | — | 3 | 0 |
 Egypt | — | — | 159 | — |
Egyptian Athletes