Biography
Who is Ahmed Hassan?
Early football career
Ahmed Hassan Kamel Hussein began his professional path playing as a right-back for Aswan Club in the lower divisions of Egypt. After just one season with the team, he transferred to Ismaily SC to further his career. His potential became clear during his time there, leading to his first national team selection for a match against Ghana in December 1995. He was only twenty years old at the time of this debut.
His performances helped Egypt secure victory in the 1998 African Cup of Nations. During the final against South Africa, Ahmed scored a crucial long-range goal that secured his reputation. This success prompted his move to the Turkish club Kocaelispor when he was twenty-two. He spent several years playing in Turkey for teams such as Denizlispor, Gençlerbirliği, and Beşiktaş, where he became a key player and a regular scoring threat.
International success and records
The midfielder is widely recognized for his immense contributions to the Egyptian national team. He participated in eight separate Africa Cup of Nations tournaments throughout his career. His team won the competition in 1998, 2006, 2008, and 2010. During the 2006 tournament, he served as team captain and scored four goals, earning the title of the tournament's best player.
By the time of his retirement from international play, he had earned 184 caps for Egypt. He matched the record for international appearances in November 2011 during a friendly match against Brazil. He officially set his high mark for appearances during a friendly against Kenya in March 2012. These achievements established him as one of the most capped male players in football history.
Playing for Anderlecht and return to Egypt
In 2006, Ahmed joined the Belgian club R.S.C. Anderlecht on a free transfer after declining to extend his contract with Beşiktaş. He chose this club largely because of their automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League. During his time in Belgium, he played in the midfield behind strikers such as Serhat Akin and Nicolas Frutos, consistently creating scoring chances.
He returned to Egypt in 2008 to sign a three-year contract with Al Ahly. He made an immediate impact by scoring a long-range free-kick in his first competitive match against Zamalek. Later, in 2011, he moved to his former rival club, Zamalek, on a free transfer. During his time there, he finished as the team's top scorer with seven goals before the league season was halted due to the Port Said Stadium disaster.
Personal life and ambassador roles
Beyond his club and international playing days, Ahmed Hassan has taken on roles that promote the sport. He served as an ambassador for the combined Holland and Belgium bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup alongside Ruud Gullit. Also, he acted as the honorary president for the 2015 edition of the SATUC Football Cup, which is an international competition organized for refugees and orphans.
He stands at 175 centimeters tall. His professional career concluded after stints with major clubs, leaving a legacy as a four-time African champion. He remains one of the most decorated players in the history of African football due to his longevity and his ability to perform at the highest levels of both domestic and international competition.
Birthday and age
Ahmed Hassan was born on May 2, 1975, which makes Ahmed 51 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Ahmed shares the date with 47 other famous people.
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