Egyptian · Helwan, Cairo, Egypt · Born 10 August 1966Hossam Hassan is Egypt's all-time leading goalscorer and current national team manager, a three-time Africa Cup of Nations winner who starred for both of Cairo's rival giants, Al Ahly and Zamalek.
Hossam Hassan scored 69 goals in 177 caps for Egypt between 1985 and 2006, finishing his international career as Africa's most capped outfield player and his country's all-time leading scorer, with three Africa Cup of Nations winner's medals (1986, 1998, 2006) and the 1998 tournament's Golden Boot. He spent two spells at the club either side of stints in Greece and Switzerland, before making a controversial and historic move to arch-rivals Zamalek in 2000, alongside his brother, where the pair sparked one of the most successful periods in Zamalek's history, including a league title and CAF Champions League triumph. Hassan became one of only a handful of players to win the CAF Champions League with two different Cairo clubs 15 years apart, first with Al Ahly in 1987 and again with Zamalek in 2002. Across his club career he scored 179 goals in 402 appearances, finishing as the second-highest scorer in Egyptian Premier League history and remaining tied with Mahmoud El Khatib as Al Ahly's all-time league top scorer, while also becoming the competition's all-time leading scorer in Cairo Derby matches. Hassan earned 177 caps for Egypt between 1985 and 2006, becoming the country's all-time leading goalscorer with 69 goals, and captained the national team to Africa Cup of Nations titles in both 1998 and 2006, having also been part of the winning 1986 squad; he finished as the 1998 tournament's top scorer with seven goals, and became the oldest player ever to score at the Africa Cup of Nations when he found the net at 39 against DR Congo in 2006. He also represented Egypt at the 1990 World Cup. After retiring, Hassan built an extensive coaching career across several Egyptian and Arab clubs, and was appointed head coach of the Egyptian national team in 2024, leading the country's push toward World Cup qualification.
Being Egypt's all-time leading goalscorer and one of few players to star for both Al Ahly and Zamalek
How They Played
Prolific, powerful striker renowned for clinical finishing and longevity at the top level
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest strikers in African football history, now leading Egypt's national team as head coach
Career Honours
- Egypt's all-time top goalscorer (69 goals in 177 caps)
- 3x Africa Cup of Nations champion and 2x winning captain (1986, 1998, 2006)
- Africa Cup of Nations top scorer (1998)
- Oldest player to score at the Africa Cup of Nations (aged 39, 2006)
- Second-highest goalscorer in Egyptian Premier League history
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Al Ahly | 1984–1990 | — |
| PAOK | 1990–1991 | — |
| Neuchâtel Xamax | 1991–1992 | — |
| Al Ahly | 1992–1999 | — |
| Al Ain | 1999–2000 | — |
| Zamalek | 2000–2004 | — |
| Al Masry | 2004–2006 | — |
| Tersana | 2006–2007 | — |
| Al Ittihad Alexandria | 2007–2008 | — |
Egyptian Athletes