Ahmed Hassan
Encyclopedia
Ahmed Hassan (born 2 May 1975 in Maghagha
, Egypt) is an Egypt
ian footballer. He currently plays as an attacking midfielder or on the right wing for the Egyptian Premier League
club Zamalek SC and the Egyptian national team. He is the most capped male footballer in history with 179 appearances for Egypt.
in the Egyptian lower divisions. After one season there, he moved to the more successful Ismaily
. He was 20 when he was selected for the first time to play in the Egyptian national team's friendly match against Ghana
on 29 December 1995. After his impressive performances with the Egyptian national team in the African Cup of Nations
1998
, including scoring a goal from a long range shot against South Africa
in the final that helped the squad win the tournament, Hassan joined Turkish
side Kocaelispor
at the age of 22. In 2000, he was transferred to Denizlispor
before joining his Egyptian international teammate Abdel Zaher El-Saqua in 2001 when he moved to Gençlerbirliği. Following three successful seasons with the club, during which the team twice made the Turkish Cup Final
, he moved to Beşiktaş
where he was a first team regular as well as a regular on the team's scoring sheet. He particularly impressed manager Jean Tigana
who, despite being known for selecting younger players for his first team, still regarded the 30-year-old Hassan a key player of the squad. Tigana stated that "Hassan is a hardworking player who is quick and talented."
2006", Fulham
, Rangers
, Newcastle United
, and Espanyol were reportedly interested in signing him. However, he chose to move to R.S.C. Anderlecht
, the Belgian First Division champions, on a free transfer after choosing not to extend his contract with Beşiktaş
, which ended in 2006. Hassan joined Anderlecht due to its automatic qualification to the UEFA Champions League
and became an important part of the Anderlecht attack, setting-up and scoring goals himself. His position in the midfield was in front of Lucas Biglia
and Jan Polák
, just behind the strikers Serhat Akin
and Nicolas Frutos
. In the 2007-08 season
, he stated that that season would be his last for Anderlecht. His family had already returned to Egypt, and he followed them there.
that would keep him away from the fields for six months.
In 19 July 2011, Hassan signed with Ahly's bitter rivals Zamalek to a two-year contract as a free transfer after his contract with Ahly expired. On 20 September 2011, Hassan made his official debut with Zamalek in a cup match against Wadi Degla giving a phenomenal performance and scoring two goals and helping his team defeat Degla 4-1 and qualify to the next round.
player with 170 caps. Ahmed Hassan is one of a number of players who have earned more than 100 international caps for Egypt, and is currently the third most capped player for any country, behind Mohamed Al-Deayea of Saudi Arabia and Claudio Suárez
of Mexico.
Hassan broke Hossam Hassan
's appearance record with his 170th cap for Egypt on 25 January 2010 in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter final against Cameroon
. He had an eventful game: he headed an Achille Emana
corner into his own net (though Emana was credited with the goal); equalized from long range and claimed the final goal in a 3-1 win in extra time from a free-kick despite replays showing the ball did not cross the line. On 31 January 2010, Hassan picked up his fourth Africa Cup of Nations winners's medal as Egypt defeated Ghana
1-0 in the final.
In November 2011, Hassan played his 178th game for Egypt in a friendly against Brazil
. In doing so he matched the record for international appearances.
.
Maghagha
Maghagha is city in Egypt, located on the west bank of the Nile. It is the most northward city in the Minya Governorate.-Villages of Maghagha:*Abou-elwakf*Ashnin*Bany Khaled*Bartabat-elgabal*Dahmro*El A'bor*El koum el akhdar*Malatya*Mayana-elwakf...
, Egypt) is an Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian footballer. He currently plays as an attacking midfielder or on the right wing for the Egyptian Premier League
Egyptian Premier League
The Egyptian Premier League is an Egyptian professional league for football clubs and represents the top flight of Egyptian football. The championship consists of nineteen competing teams in a home and away league system. It is currently known as the Etisalat Egyptian Premier League, after the...
club Zamalek SC and the Egyptian national team. He is the most capped male footballer in history with 179 appearances for Egypt.
Career
Ahmed Hassan started his professional football career as a right-back at Aswan ClubAswan
Aswan , formerly spelled Assuan, is a city in the south of Egypt, the capital of the Aswan Governorate.It stands on the east bank of the Nile at the first cataract and is a busy market and tourist centre...
in the Egyptian lower divisions. After one season there, he moved to the more successful Ismaily
Ismaily SC
The Ismaily Sporting Club is a club, established in 1924 as Nahda Sporting Club, based in Ismaïlia, Egypt. The club is best known for its football team....
. He was 20 when he was selected for the first time to play in the Egyptian national team's friendly match against Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
on 29 December 1995. After his impressive performances with the Egyptian national team in the African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
1998
1998 African Cup of Nations
The 1998 African Cup of Nations in Burkina Faso was the 21st edition of the African Cup of Nations , the national football championship of Africa, administered by the Confederation of African Football . Just like in 1996, the field of sixteen teams was split into four groups of four...
, including scoring a goal from a long range shot against South Africa
South Africa national football team
The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
in the final that helped the squad win the tournament, Hassan joined Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
side Kocaelispor
Kocaelispor
Kocaelispor, is the football team of İzmit, Turkey. They were founded in 1966 and played in the Turkish football league between 1980–1988 and 1992–2003. The best result for them was the 4th position in 1992–93 season...
at the age of 22. In 2000, he was transferred to Denizlispor
Denizlispor
Denizlispor is a sports club based in Denizli, Turkey. It is known by its distinct green and black colors. The club's branches include football, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, chess, and gymnastics...
before joining his Egyptian international teammate Abdel Zaher El-Saqua in 2001 when he moved to Gençlerbirliği. Following three successful seasons with the club, during which the team twice made the Turkish Cup Final
Fortis Turkey Cup
The Turkish Cup is a football cup competition in Turkish football, run by the Turkish Football Federation since 1962. Its current sponsored name is the Ziraat Türkiye Kupası....
, he moved to Beşiktaş
Besiktas J.K.
Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü , or simply Beşiktaş , is a Turkish sports club. The club's football team is one of the major teams in Turkey. The professional sports club, founded in 1903, is based in the Beşiktaş district in Istanbul, Turkey...
where he was a first team regular as well as a regular on the team's scoring sheet. He particularly impressed manager Jean Tigana
Jean Tigana
Jean Amadou Tigana is a manager and former French international footballer, having played in midfield and managed professional football extensively throughout France, including 52 appearances and 1 goal for the France national football team during the 1980s.-Playing career:Tigana started his...
who, despite being known for selecting younger players for his first team, still regarded the 30-year-old Hassan a key player of the squad. Tigana stated that "Hassan is a hardworking player who is quick and talented."
RSC Anderlecht
After Hassan was named "Best Player of the African Cup of NationsAfrican Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
2006", Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
, Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, and Espanyol were reportedly interested in signing him. However, he chose to move to R.S.C. Anderlecht
R.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
, the Belgian First Division champions, on a free transfer after choosing not to extend his contract with Beşiktaş
Besiktas
Beşiktaş is a municipality of Istanbul, Turkey, located on the European shore of the Bosphorus. It is bordered on the north by Sarıyer and Şişli, on the west by Kağıthane and Şişli, on the south by Beyoğlu, and on the east by the Bosphorus...
, which ended in 2006. Hassan joined Anderlecht due to its automatic qualification to the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
and became an important part of the Anderlecht attack, setting-up and scoring goals himself. His position in the midfield was in front of Lucas Biglia
Lucas Biglia
Lucas Rodrigo Biglia is an Argentine footballer, who currently plays for Anderlecht and the Argentina national team. He has been capped for the Argentina national football team and the Argentina U-20 national team, where he won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, alongside Lionel Messi.- Club...
and Jan Polák
Jan Polák
Jan Polák is a Czech international footballer. He currently plays for the German team Wolfsburg.In his younger days he played for 1. FC Brno and Tatran Bohunice. Formerly a member of the Czech national under-21 side, Polák, alongside players like Petr Čech and Milan Baroš, was a part of the team...
, just behind the strikers Serhat Akin
Serhat Akin
Niyazi Serhat Akın is a Turkish football striker who plays for Karlsruher SC.-Fenerbahçe:He played for Fenerbahçe SK between 2000–2005 and played 179 matches , after which he went to Anderlecht on a free transfer in the summer of 2005.-RSC Anderlecht and 1...
and Nicolas Frutos
Nicolás Frutos
Nicolás Alejandro Frutos is a former Argentine football striker who last played for R.S.C. Anderlecht. He obtained a transfer from Independiente on October 21, 2005 but was only allowed to play for Anderlecht since January 2006...
. In the 2007-08 season
Belgian First Division 2007-08
The 2007-08 season of the Belgian First Division began on August 3, 2007 and concluded on May 10, 2008. The championship was decided in the 31st round on April 20, 2008, when Standard Liège beat Anderlecht 2-0 at home. For Standard it was their 9th League Championship, but just their first in the...
, he stated that that season would be his last for Anderlecht. His family had already returned to Egypt, and he followed them there.
Returns to Egypt
Ahmed Hassan chose to move to Egyptian club Al Ahly to end his career in Egypt, signing a three year contract as of May 2008. He scored in his first competitive match against legendary rival Zamalek, in the opening of the CAF Champions League, from a long-range free-kick.In September 2010 he suffered a career threatening injury in an African Cup Of Nations qualifier against Sierra LeoneSierra Leone national football team
The Sierra Leone national football team, nicknamed the Leone Stars, is the national team of Sierra Leone and is controlled by the Sierra Leone Football Association...
that would keep him away from the fields for six months.
In 19 July 2011, Hassan signed with Ahly's bitter rivals Zamalek to a two-year contract as a free transfer after his contract with Ahly expired. On 20 September 2011, Hassan made his official debut with Zamalek in a cup match against Wadi Degla giving a phenomenal performance and scoring two goals and helping his team defeat Degla 4-1 and qualify to the next round.
Africa Cup of Nations
Hassan has played in eight Africa Cup of Nations tournaments for Egypt, winning the tournament four times, in 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010. In the 2006 tournament, he was named captain and scored four goals in six matches, the second-highest individual goal tally in that year's tournament. He was named best player of the tournament after winning his second title and Egypt's fifth, a feat he repeated in 2010 at the age of 34. In 2008, Hassan captained Egypt to their sixth Africa Cup of Nations victory. As of January 25, 2010, Hassan has become Egypt's most cappedCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
player with 170 caps. Ahmed Hassan is one of a number of players who have earned more than 100 international caps for Egypt, and is currently the third most capped player for any country, behind Mohamed Al-Deayea of Saudi Arabia and Claudio Suárez
Claudio Suárez
Luis Claudio Suárez Sánchez is a retired Mexican footballer. He last played for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer....
of Mexico.
Hassan broke Hossam Hassan
Hossam Hassan
Hossam Hassan Hussein is a retired Egyptian footballer who played as a striker, and a current coach.A prolific goalscorer, he amassed well over 150 caps for Egypt, netting more than 50 times...
's appearance record with his 170th cap for Egypt on 25 January 2010 in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter final against Cameroon
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
. He had an eventful game: he headed an Achille Emana
Achille Emana
Achille Emana Edzimbi , known as Emana, is a Cameroonian footballer who plays for Al-Hilal FC in Saudi Arabia, as an attacking midfielder.-Toulouse:...
corner into his own net (though Emana was credited with the goal); equalized from long range and claimed the final goal in a 3-1 win in extra time from a free-kick despite replays showing the ball did not cross the line. On 31 January 2010, Hassan picked up his fourth Africa Cup of Nations winners's medal as Egypt defeated Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
1-0 in the final.
In November 2011, Hassan played his 178th game for Egypt in a friendly against Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
. In doing so he matched the record for international appearances.
Honours
- Turkish Cup 2006
- Belgian First Division 2007
- Belgian CupBelgian CupThe Belgian Cup is the main knockout football competition in Belgium, run by the Belgian Football Association. The first cup was held in 1911-12. The most successful cup club is Club Brugge KV with 10 titles followed by RSC Anderlecht and R Standard de Liège...
2008 - Belgian SupercupBelgian SupercupThe Belgian Supercup is a Belgian club competition played on a single match at the league champion venue since 2004 and formerly at the Stade Roi Baudouin, between the winner of the last Belgian Pro League and that of the last Belgian Cup. If both teams are the same, the opponent is declared to...
2007 - Egyptian Premier LeagueEgyptian Premier LeagueThe Egyptian Premier League is an Egyptian professional league for football clubs and represents the top flight of Egyptian football. The championship consists of nineteen competing teams in a home and away league system. It is currently known as the Etisalat Egyptian Premier League, after the...
2009,2010 - CAF Champions LeagueCAF Champions LeagueThe CAF Champions League is an annual international club football competition run by the Confederation of African Football . The top club sides from Africa's football leagues are invited to participate in this competition, which is the premier club football competition on the continent and the...
2008 - Africa Cup of Nations 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010
- Africa Cup of Nations MVP 2006, 2010
- 2010 Best African-based Player http://www.cafonline.com/football/news/7387-ahmed-hassan-african-player-of-the-year-2010-based-in-africa.htmlhttp://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/6/51/2331/Egyptian-League/Ahmad-Hassan-named-best-Africanbased-Player-of-the-year-/Ahmad-Hassan-named-best-Africanbased-Player-of-the.aspx
Holland-Belgium World Cup bid
Hassan was selected as an ambassador for the Holland-Belgium 2018 or 2022 World Cup bid along with Ruud GullitRuud Gullit
OON is a Dutch football manager and former football player, who played professionally in the 1980s and 1990s. He was the captain of the Netherlands national team that was victorious at Euro 88 and was also a member of the squad for the 1990 World Cup. He was named the European Footballer of the...
.
External links
- http://www.egyptianplayers.com/ahmed-hasan/Ahmed-Hassan-page.htm Player profile at rsca.be
- http://www.socceregypt.com/socceregypt/socceregypt.php/2006/4/24/egyptian_player_abroad_playeras_profile_1
- Profile at TFF.org
- ESPN Profile