Essam El-Hadary, the Egyptian national soccer team goalie, has made history as the oldest player to ever play in the World Cup. At 45 years old, it’s also his first time playing the World Cup since he starting playing internationally over 22 years ago. To put that into perspective, El-Hadary’s first time playing internationally happened in 1996, 10 years before Ramadan Sobhi (the youngest player on the Egyptian national team) was even born.
Sunday night, El-Hadary was named in the starting XI in Egypt’s game against Saudi Arabia. In just stepping onto the field at 45 years and 161 days old he made history as the oldest player in the tournament, but then he surpassed expectations and performed extremely well. He earned is 157th cap, or 157th appearance in a national-level game, and made a surprising penalty save.
Essam El-Hadary makes a fantastic save for #EGY! #KSAEGY pic.twitter.com/t3iLTdNWzS
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) June 25, 2018
Although he has some serious experience under his belt already, representing Egypt over 150 times, his position in the World Cup at his age is so unprecedented that is has everyone watching. And El-Hadary knows it. In May he spoke with The Guardian, saying “this is a message to all footballers and others around the world that you should believe in your dreams and fight to make them come true.” He described the World Cup as being his greatest test of all, and it seems like he’s passed.
Although El-Hadary let the next penalty shot in, he still a seriously amazing player – and a record-holder. Hopefully he can help save Egypt from finishing last for a fourth time…