Sports
Ranking The 10 Best Egypt Football Players Of All Time
Egypt are the most successful nation in African football history with seven AFCON titles.
The Pharaohs boast a string of high profile players who have made their mark in top leagues around the world, and while they have never made it out of the group stages of the World Cup, their influence on global football is growing all the time.
Mohamed Salah is set to lead them out in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026, but is he the greatest Egyptian player of all time?
10
Wael Gomaa
Known for his brute strength and perfect positioning, Wael Gomaa neutralised some of the best attackers in Africa without needing rapid pace or recovery tackles – he was an expert at reading the game.
His performances for Al Ahly were a major reason behind the club’s dominance during the 2000s, as he helped secure numerous Egyptian league titles and multiple CAF Champions League trophies.
On the international stage, Gomaa was a cornerstone of Egypt’s golden generation, playing a crucial role in the national team’s historic Africa Cup of Nations victories in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
His consistency over many years, making 114 appearances for the Pharaohs, sets him aside as one of Africa’s best ever defenders.
9
Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan
Trezeguet has been one of Egypt’s most reliable performers in AFCON tournaments and World Cup matches, racking up nearly 100 caps for his country and scoring over 20 goals.
His goals at AFCON 2019, tireless running, and willingness to track back made him vital to Egypt’s balance. While not as globally famous as Salah, he has often been the perfect foil for the Liverpool legend, and has a respectable club career of his own.
Having starred in the Premier League for Aston Villa, the versatile forward has also won the Egyptian Premier League once and the CAF Champions League twice.
8
Mahmoud El Gohary
As a player, Mahmoud El Gohary contributed solidly despite not making as many appearances for his country as the other players on this list.
However, his international legacy is historic because of his overall influence on Egypt’s national team identity, with a managerial career spanning over 40 years.
He led Egypt to AFCON glory and qualification for the 1990 World Cup after 56 year absence from the world’s greatest competition, rebuilding belief in the national team.
Few individuals shaped Egypt’s international football structure and mentality more than El Gohary, who also won the nation’s top domestic league five times as a player and once as a manager.
7
Mohamed Elneny
Elneny’s importance is often underestimated, but his tactical discipline and leadership were crucial for Egypt during major tournaments. He played a key role in AFCON 2017 and 2021 and was part of the 2018 World Cup squad, providing stability in midfield.
Elneny rarely stole headlines, but Egypt often functioned better with him on the pitch, so it’s little wonder he earned over 100 caps.
He also boasts one of the most decorated club careers at the top level of any Egyptian player, winning the FA Cup with Arsenal and four Swiss league titles for FC Basel.
6
Mahmoud El Khatib
El Khatib’s international career came in an era with fewer global tournaments, but his impact remains significant having scored 24 times in 54 appearances for the Pharaohs.
He represented Egypt with distinction and brought wider African recognition to Egyptian football, being crowned African Footballer of the Year in 1983.
His club career was remarkable, winning the Egyptian league’s golden boot twice and helping Al Ahly to an incredible ten top flight titles.
5
Mohamed Aboutrika
Aboutrika was Egypt’s creative heart during one of its most successful international eras.
His intelligence, calmness and ability to score decisive goals made him indispensable in the 2006 and 2008 AFCON campaigns, and he went toe to toe with some of world football’s greatest stars on the international stage.
Scoring iconic goals – 38 in 100 caps to be precise – and linking midfield to attack effortlessly, Aboutrika’s skill and poise in the middle of the park is unmatched by any other Egyptian player in history.
4
Essam El-Hadary
Essam El-Hadary’s international importance cannot be overstated. He was the backbone of Egypt’s defense during their AFCON dominance and played a decisive role in multiple penalty shootouts.
Winning four AFCON titles and later becoming the oldest player in World Cup history, El-Hadary was the psychological leader of his national side for two decades, making a remarkable 159 appearances for his country.
His club career also yielded great success, as one of Al Ahly’s greatest ever players with countless domestic trophies to his name.
3
Ahmed Hassan
Ahmed Hassan’s case is built almost entirely on his national team legacy as opposed to club football.
He is Egypt’s most capped player and the emotional leader of the legendary squad that won three consecutive AFCON titles between 2006and 2010.
He scored crucial goals, controlled midfield battles and set the tone physically and mentally.
Few players in African football history have dominated international tournaments the way Ahmed Hassan did over such a long period, managing a simply incredible 184 caps and scoring 33 times for his country.
2
Hossam Hassan
When it comes to pure national team impact, Hossam Hassan is one of one. He is Egypt’s all-time top scorer and one of the highest scorers in international football history, with 69 goals to his name for the Pharaohs.
He played across generations, adapting his game and remaining decisive well into his 30s, and at club level won a frankly ridiculous 14 league titles, 13 of which came in Egypt.
As a manager, he has guided the country to the 2026 World Cup, where he will hope to become the first Egyptian boss to guide his team out of the group stages.
1
Mohamed Salah
Even without an international title to his name, Mohamed Salah remains number one.
He is Egypt’s most important player of the modern era and carried the national team through multiple qualification campaigns almost on his own.
Salah led Egypt to the 2017 and 2021 AFCON finals and was decisive in getting Egypt to the 2018 World Cup, ending a 28-year absence.
While Egypt did not win a trophy during his peak, his goals, assists and insane trophy haul at the elite club level make him the undisputed greatest of all time, with more than 60 goals in over 100 caps.
