International Football
AT 74, EGYPTIAN MAKES RECORD AS OLDEST PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER
World football governing body has in its online publication celebrated the oldest professional footballer in the world.
Ezzeldin Bahader of Egypt is the oldest professional footballer to play in an official game.
The civil engineer set a Guinness World Record for this aged 74 and 125 days.. He has six grandchildren.
“Nothing is easy, but nothing is impossible,” said Ezzeldin Bahader, describing his entry into the Guinness World Records after he became the oldest footballer to take part in an official match when he played in Egypt’s third division back on 6 March.
A grandfather of six who turned 75 last Tuesday, Bahader lined up for his club October 6 against El Ayat last month to realise a dream that began last March, when he played his first official game for the club and scored a goal, setting a record that will take some beating.
FIFA.com spoke with Bahader about his experience, how he managed to achieve his dream, and his future ambitions.
FIFA.com: You recently made football history when you became the world’s oldest professional footballer. Where did that idea come from and who encouraged you to pursue it?
Ezzeldin Bahader: I’ve always longed to play for a big club but it remained just a dream. So I began to pursue another goal when I found out that the oldest person to play professionally was a 53-year-old striker [Kazuyoshi Miura from Japan]. Seeing the enormous age gap between me and him, I decided to give it a try. At first, I didn’t tell anyone about my objective, and I was trying to motivate myself, but when my family learned about it, they encouraged me a lot.
What impact did the pandemic have on your bid, and how did you prepare over the past six months?
The pandemic had a negative impact on me, especially since the league was suspended just two days before the [second] game I was going to play. This was a shock to me, but during that downtime I practiced with my son and watched a lot of training exercises online so I could do them at home. This period impacted on my match preparation, because training with a club is very different from training at home.
How did your team-mates at October 6 feel when you trained with them for the first time?
They gave me a warm reception. We talked and laughed a lot, but then they told me that they’d expected an old person who’d treat them like kids! They quickly put me to the test, asking me to take some shots on goal. I did that and they were good, so they were pleased in the end.
Your first match was back in March against Genius. How did it go given it was your first official appearance?
I was so nervous and what made it more difficult was that my knee and hamstring muscle were swollen, but my team-mates encouraged me a lot. As soon as the match started, I got swept up by the atmosphere and the nerves disappeared.
Not only did you take part in that game, but you also scored a goal from the spot and became the oldest goalscorer. Was that record on your mind too?
Indeed, I was hoping to score a goal, but it wasn’t that easy. We played against a tough team that were battling to avoid relegation to the next division. We were awarded a penalty in the final minutes and I successfully converted it.
On 17 October, you played the whole match against third division side El Ayat to officially become the oldest player to complete two matches. How did you feel before and during that game?
It wasn’t easy because I got a middle-ear infection two weeks before the game. I lost some balance and my movement was affected, so I couldn’t finish a training session and feared I’d miss the game. During the match, I also felt a bit dizzy. Moreover, the two teams wore similar shirts which made things more difficult. However, all my team-mates and the technical team insisted that I play the whole match. I managed to score my team’s second goal from a set-piece that we’d practiced in training.
How did the El Ayat players deal with you, given you were so much older than them, and did you face any difficulties?
The El Ayat players looked surprised and a bit uncomfortable before the game, but I broke the ice by shaking their hands. They even took pictures with me before the game. I also asked them not to make any crunching tackles on me so that I wouldn’t get injured.
Do you think what you’ve done will motivate others to continue playing longer?
Of course, this will give an incentive to players, particularly as many retire at relatively young ages. That said, I’d like to propose the idea of organising a tournament for players over 40. It would give an opportunity to many players who we used to watch to maintain their fitness and show their skills. It’d provide continuity and prove that age is just a number.
The oldest player ever to take part in a FIFA World Cup™ is Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary. Could we see Ezzeldin Bahader playing for the Egyptian national team one day?
This is a very long shot (laughs)! I’ll continue to train hard and improve my skills and fitness, and if an opportunity arises, I’ll definitely seize it.
The only thing harder than getting to the top is staying there. What are your future ambitions?
I believe that I’ve achieved something which anyone with willpower and determination can do. Maintaining a good level and fitness, especially at this age, is difficult, but getting fit in the first place was difficult as well. I’ll try to continue to play and train because I enjoy playing football so much, and no one knows what the future holds.
International Football
Former Chelsea manager, Pochettino takes over US men’s team
Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been named new coach of the United States men’s team, U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday.
Pochettino, who parted ways with Premier League side Chelsea in May after one season in charge, will take the reins of the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.
The Argentine, a former Paris St Germain and Tottenham Hotspur manager, said his decision to join U.S. soccer was not just about football, but about the journey the country was on and he could not pass up the opportunity.
“The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me,” he said in a statement.
“I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”
U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said Pochettino was a “serial winner with a deep passion for developing players”.
“His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage.”
The U.S. have been without a permanent coach since a humiliating early exit from the Copa America on home soil in July led to the sacking of Gregg Berhalter after his second stint as head coach.
The 51-year-old boss was first appointed in 2018 and led the Americans to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup, but just weeks later found himself embroiled in a bitter public row with one of the team’s brightest emerging talents, Gio Reyna.
U.S. Soccer’s search for a new coach when Berhalter’s contract expired at the end of 2022 included names such as Canada coach Jesse Marsch, but they ultimately rehired Berhalter in June last year with the full support of the players.
However, it proved unsuccessful as the U.S. failed to progress beyond the group stages of the Copa America after a shock 2-1 defeat to Panama and a crushing 1-0 loss to Uruguay.
Pochettino will take over after Mikey Varas, who has been appointed interim coach, oversaw friendlies against Canada last Saturday and New Zealand on Tuesday.
The U.S. drew 1-1 with New Zealand in Cincinnati after Christian Pulisic’s goal was cancelled out by Ben Waine’s late equaliser.
The U.S. will next play friendlies against Panama on Oct. 12 and Mexico three days later.
-Reuters
International Football
BREAKING – Video: Osimhen accepts to join Galatasaray
At last, Nigeria’s striker Victor Osimhen is out of the limbo. He has accepted to join Galatasaray on loan.
He is now asking for a release clause at Napoli to become €75m instead of €130m
He also wants a break clause for January in case top clubs approach him over move.
The final points are being discussed. He has been videoed celebrating with the Turkey club’s fans.
International Football
Uruguay striker Suarez to play last international match on Friday
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez announced his international retirement on Monday, ending a 17-year career with his national team as their top scorer with 69 goals.
The 37-year-old, who has 142 caps for his country, made his international debut in 2007 and was key in the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and won the Copa America a year later.
“Friday will be my last match with my country’s national team,” an emotional Suarez told a press conference.
“The fact that is my decision to retire and that I’m not retired because of injuries or that they stop calling me for one thing or another, that gives me a lot of comfort, it helps me individually.
“It’s difficult but it gives me peace of mind that until the last game I have given my all, and that flame has not been extinguished little by little,” the striker added.
Uruguay take on Paraguay at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo on Friday in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup before facing Venezuela four days later.
Suarez scored the stoppage-time goal against Canada that secured third place at the Copa America in July and the striker added that one of his aims was to show he could continue to contribute to the national team.
“My dream was for my children to see me win something important with the national team … that last goal was very nice for them and even though it wasn’t a trophy to take home, it was very nice for them,” he said.
“I wanted to show people again that I can continue to contribute to the national team and, well, I had the Copa America and yes, I could have done it (retired) perfectly after that, but having analysed the situation, I want to do it with my people, in my stadium.
“I want my children to live this experience. Saying goodbye with the people here is something that I don’t know if many have done.”
Suarez has already said Inter Miami will be his last club after joining the Major League Soccer side last year to reunite with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
-Reuters
-
Boxing1 day ago
BREAKING! Dubois destroys Anthony Joshua!
-
CAF Confederation Cup1 week ago
Enyimba continues unbeaten run against Burkina Faso clubs
-
AFCON5 days ago
Libya sacks coach ahead of AFCON qualifying back-to-back matches with Nigeria
-
CAF Champions League1 week ago
Enugu Rangers in slim CAF Champions League win over Angola’s Sagrada Esperanca
-
WOMEN'S FOOTBALL1 week ago
Falconets crash out from U-20 Women’s World Cup
-
Governing Bodies1 week ago
Storm in CAF over proposed statutes amendments
-
World Cup3 days ago
Many fans risk missing 2026 World Cup as Visa window for visitors is closing
-
CHAN6 days ago
CAF Executive Committee approves CHAN 2024 Dates