Biography
Who is Hossam Hassan?
Playing career at Al Ahly and abroad
Hossam Hassan began his professional path with Al Ahly SC, the most decorated club in Africa. He made his first-team debut for the Cairo-based side at age 18. Over the next sixteen years, he established himself as a central figure for the team. He secured 25 titles during this tenure, including 11 league championships. Beyond his domestic success, he spent time in Europe, especially playing for Neuchâtel Xamax in Switzerland. During his Swiss tenure, he scored four goals in a single UEFA Cup match against Celtic. He later represented Al Ain FC in the United Arab Emirates.
Success with Zamalek and scoring records
In the summer of 2000, he joined Zamalek SC. His time with the Cairo giants was highly productive. He helped the team win three Egyptian Premier League titles during the 2000–01, 2001–02, and 2003–04 seasons. He also contributed to their 2002 Egypt Cup victory and the 2002 CAF Champions League title. Across all competitions for Zamalek, he netted 50 goals. He ranks as the second-highest scorer in the history of the Egyptian Premier League. After his Zamalek spell, he played for Al Masry SC and Tersana SC before retiring near age 42.
National team achievements
Hossam Hassan is Egypt's all-time leading international goalscorer, having netted 69 times in 177 appearances between 1985 and 2006. He was part of the squad that won the 1986 Africa Cup of Nations. He represented his country at the 1990 FIFA World Cup. In 1992, he scored the winning goal against Saudi Arabia in the FIFA Arab Cup final. He led Egypt to the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations title, finishing as the tournament's joint-top scorer with seven goals. In 2006, he captained the team to victory in the African Cup of Nations at age 40.
Coaching career
His managerial career began in 2008 with Al Masry. He later coached Itesalat and had a stint as manager of Zamalek starting in November 2009. He led the Jordan national team during their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, which included an AFC-CONMEBOL play-off against Uruguay. He returned to Egypt to manage Al Ittihad Alexandria, Pyramids, and Smouha. In February 2024, he became the head coach of the Egypt national team. He guided the team to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage.
Personal life and activism
Hossam Hassan is the twin brother of Ibrahim Hassan, with whom he shared much of his career. He was first married to Howaida El Gharbawy, with whom he had three children. In 2015, he married Dina Moustafa, with whom he had two children. Politically, he and his brother publicly supported President Hosni Mubarak during the 2011 Egyptian revolution. Following a win over Australia in 2026, he displayed a Palestinian flag to express support for the Palestinian people.
Birthday and age
Hossam Hassan was born on August 10, 1966, which makes Hossam 60 years old today. That birthday falls under the Leo sign. Hossam shares the date with 51 other famous people.
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