Hazem Emam
Encyclopedia
Hazem Emam is a retired Egyptian footballer. He spent most of his career as an attacking midfielder for Zamalek SC. Hazem is one of the most talented players in the history of Egyptian football, and one of the most popular players ever in the Middle East
.
's president at the time, and convinced him that his son is a real gem.Hazem went to then play for Zamalek's youth. Until in 1993, when Mahmoud El Goharry took charge of the team, he promoted young Hazem to the first team. Hazem picked the #14 shirt because of his idol Johan Cruijff, and made his debut in November that same year. However, he did not make many appearances that seasons and was mainly used as a late sub. However, next season, he was given an opportunity to shine and was the focus of attention as a potential future star for Egypt. His amazing performances in that season, and the one that followed, convinced Egypt's National Team coach at the time, Ruud Krol
to pick him for the national team.
, and Udinese. Hazem eventually signed for Udinese, Hazem.Emam did not enjoy a successful era in the Serie A
, despite being the first Egyptian and Arab footballer to play in Italy. He never really got his chance, as Alberto Zaccheroni preferred to play him as a striker, despite Hazem's natural position being a playmaker. Hazem could not break into the first team due to the rocking striking partnership between Oliver Bierhoff
and Marcio Amoroso
, and was eventually loaned to De Graafschap
in Holland. There, Emam enjoyed two successful seasons making 38 appearances, and scoring four goals, leading to interest from Ajax.
in the cup final, marking Zamalek's first trophy in four seasons. Hazem had announced his retirement earlier in spring, therefore the player's wore a T-shirt that had his number on it and words "Don't retire Hazem" in the warm up before the game.
12 titles for Al-Zamalek
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
.
Early life
Hazem was born in Mohandessin, Egypt. He is the son of the Zamalek legend, Hamada Emam; and the grandson of another Zamalek legend, Yehia Emam. Hazem as a kid, never planned to become a footballer and follow the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He always focused on one thing at a time, and in his early teens, he only focused on enjoying his life, hanging out with friends, and just finishing school. Hazem was known to be very shy as a child, and that was mainly why at first he refused to practice football despite his father's insistence.Early career
Hazem loved to play football for fun. He never wanted to take things seriously, and that's why he went to practice at shooting club (A club that does not have a first team). He wanted to be with his friends all the time, until one day, in the Egyptian Youth League, Zamalek's youth coach at the time, Badr Haddad, insisted that he has to come and play for Zamalek. Haddad spoke to Hazem's father, Hamada, who was ZamalekZamalek
Zamalek Sporting Club , is an Egyptian sporting club based in Meet Okba, Giza, Egypt that plays in the Egyptian Premier League....
's president at the time, and convinced him that his son is a real gem.Hazem went to then play for Zamalek's youth. Until in 1993, when Mahmoud El Goharry took charge of the team, he promoted young Hazem to the first team. Hazem picked the #14 shirt because of his idol Johan Cruijff, and made his debut in November that same year. However, he did not make many appearances that seasons and was mainly used as a late sub. However, next season, he was given an opportunity to shine and was the focus of attention as a potential future star for Egypt. His amazing performances in that season, and the one that followed, convinced Egypt's National Team coach at the time, Ruud Krol
Ruud Krol
Rudolf Jozef Krol is a retired Dutch footballer who was capped 83 times for his native country. Playing the vast majority of his career with his home town club of Ajax before traveling the world as both a player and a coach...
to pick him for the national team.
Rise to stardom
African Cup of Nations (1996) arrived, and Emam's form was on fire. He was Egypt's best player in the tournament, and one of the best youngsters to shine. His performance interested ParmaParma
Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world....
, and Udinese. Hazem eventually signed for Udinese, Hazem.Emam did not enjoy a successful era in the Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
, despite being the first Egyptian and Arab footballer to play in Italy. He never really got his chance, as Alberto Zaccheroni preferred to play him as a striker, despite Hazem's natural position being a playmaker. Hazem could not break into the first team due to the rocking striking partnership between Oliver Bierhoff
Oliver Bierhoff
Oliver Bierhoff is a retired German former football striker, who scored the first golden goal in the history of major international football, for Germany in the Euro 96 final...
and Marcio Amoroso
Márcio Amoroso
Márcio Amoroso dos Santos is a retired Brazilian footballer. He has played his football for several teams in Japan, Italy, Germany, Spain and Greece while representing Brazil at international level.-Club career:...
, and was eventually loaned to De Graafschap
De Graafschap
De Graafschap is a professional football club from Doetinchem, Netherlands. It was formed on 1 February 1954 and they play their home games at the "De Vijverberg" stadium. Their current home ground stands on where the old pitch used to be located and was opened on 12 August 2000...
in Holland. There, Emam enjoyed two successful seasons making 38 appearances, and scoring four goals, leading to interest from Ajax.
Return to Egypt
Despite Ajax's efforts to sign the creative playmaker, he returned to Zamalek in January 2001. His first game was against Zamalek's arch rivals, Al Ahly, in which Zamalek won 3-1, with Emam assisting the first goal. He was quickly assigned the team's captain and led them to winning the league that same season scoring 2 goals and making numerous assists. Emam was an instant fan favorite and captained Zamalek to winning 3 league titles, 1 cup title, 2 super cup titles, 1 African cup title, and 1 African super cup title. He enjoyed four successful seasons winning trophies, and individual accolades with Zamalek, before his form started to drop at the start of the 2005/2006 season. Hazem was always criticized for his lack of fitness during his career, and after he hit the 30 it was obvious that he was not the same player anymore.Hazem's role at the club declined in his last three seasons, which led to him to retiring at the age of only 33. At the opening match of the 2007/2008 season, Emam fell out with Zamalek's supporters after they kept chanting vulgarities towards him and asking him to retire. Emam announced his retirement, only to shortly come back after the fans offered a public apology. However, he finished his career at the end of that season on a high note, after Zamalek beat EnppiENPPI
ENPPI Club is originally an Egyptian Oil and Gas Company established in 1978 and Enppi club was then formed in 1980...
in the cup final, marking Zamalek's first trophy in four seasons. Hazem had announced his retirement earlier in spring, therefore the player's wore a T-shirt that had his number on it and words "Don't retire Hazem" in the warm up before the game.
National team
Hazem made his debut for the national team in 1996, and has 86 caps for Egypt. He has participated in the CAN 5 times, in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004. His biggest achievement was winning it in 1998, but his best performances came in 2002 when he scored two goals and was picked in the team of the tournament.Titles
2 titles for national team- 1 African Cup of Nations for Egypt (Burkina Faso 1998)
- 1 African All-Games soccer title for Egypt (Zimbabwe 1995)
12 titles for Al-Zamalek
- 3 Egyptian League for (2000/2001 & 2002/2003 & 2003/2004)
- 2 Egyptian Super CupEgyptian Super CupThe Egyptian Super Cup is an Egyptian association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of the Egyptian Premier League and the winners of the Egyptian Cup. If a team wins The Double , then the Double winner plays the Premier League runner-up...
(2000/2001 & 2001/2002) - 2 Egyptian Cup (2001/2002 & 2007/2008)
- 2 African Champions League (1996 & 2002)
- 1 African Super Cup (2002)
- 1 Arab Club Championship title (2003)
- 1 Egyptian Saudi Super Cup (2003)
Personal titles
- World Best Soccer Skills Pepsi Challenge Winner 2001
- Egyptian Footballer of the Year 2003 (Egyptian Football Association)
- Selected in best team of African cup 1996 and 2002
- Top scorer of African Qualifications for African Cup of Nations 1998
External links
- Hazem Emam Official Website
- HazemLovers official website
- Player profile - national-football-teams.com
- Hazem goal with udinese
- Hazem compilation video
- Hazem Emam section on biggest Zamalek fanclub
- Unofficial Hazem website
- Another Hazem photo album
- Hazem Emam Official Page on Facebook