Egypt’s veteran goalkeeper Essam El Hadary has announced his retirement from international football less than two months after setting a FIFA World Cup record for being the oldest player to take part in the quadrennial event.
In June, El Hadary at 45 became the oldest player in World Cup history when he played against Saudi Arabia at Russia 2018. Although Egypt lost the match, El Hadary saved a first-half penalty in the final outing for the Pharaohs on their return to the World Cup following a 28-year absence.
El Hadary, who debuted for Egypt in 1996, won four CAF Africa Cup of Nations. “I am very proud to have played with the national team in 159 internationals, participating in unprecedented achievements,” El Hadary said on Monday.
El Hadary, had made history as the oldest person ever to play at football’s flagship event, when he entered the Volgograd Arena to face Saudi Arabia in the countries’ final game at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
At 45 years and 161 days, El Hadary then broke the record set by Colombia keeper Faryd Mondragon when he participated at Brazil 2014 at the age of 43 years and 3 days as a substitute against Japan. But El Hadary was not happy with just being part of the game: he showed his worth by diving to his right to save a thunderous penalty from Fahad Al Muwallad, turning it onto the bar. He also made a string of other saves between conceding two late goals, one in every half.
Many had believed that El Hadary, who has won four African Cup of Nations titles, would not wear the national team’s shirt after 2013. But the shot-stopper was persistent, working tirelessly over the past few years and returning to protect the Pharaohs’ goal. He led Egypt to runners-up spot at the AFCON in 2017, where he also was the oldest player ever to grace the continental championship.
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