As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve 2024, football enthusiasts reminisce about the golden era of the 1980s and 1990s, recalling the famous phrase coined by the legendary sports commentator, Mimi El Sherbini: “The Santa Claus of Egyptian football.”
Mimi El Sherbini, a star player for Al Ahly and the Egyptian national team in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as a sports commentator who captivated fans with his distinctive voice and timeless expressions, bestowed the title “Santa Claus of football” upon numerous stars.
El Sherbini, using this term in connection with New Year’s Eve, referred to a player capable of bringing joy to his fans, much like Santa Claus delivering gifts on New Year’s night.
In numbers, who is the “Santa Claus of Egyptian Football”?
Many football stars in Egypt have brought happiness to the hearts of fans with decisive goals, magical touches, and championships that remain etched in memory and conscience.
Not just on New Year’s Eve but over days, months, years, and even decades, Hassan El Shazly, the star of Tersana, was the “Santa Claus of Egyptian Football,” scoring 173 goals to top the list of Egyptian Premier League goal scorers throughout its history.
The captain and top scorer of El Shawkeesh scored 42 goals wearing the Egyptian national team jersey, contributing crucial goals in Olympic Games tournaments and African Cup of Nations.
Hassan Shehata, “The Teacher,” both player and coach, the best midfielder in the history of Egyptian football, and the only Egyptian to be awarded the title of the best player in Asia.
Shehata scored 77 goals for Zamalek and 44 for Kazma in Kuwait.
However, his football glory extended beyond the touchlines, leading the Egyptian national team to three African Cup of Nations titles in a historic coaching career.
New Year’s Eve and the Legends of Egyptian Football
The discussion of New Year’s Eve and the football “Santa Claus” continues in the style of El Sherbini, reviewing the numbers of “Bibo” Mahmoud El Khatib, the president of Al Ahly, and one of the most skillful players Egypt has produced in the world of football.
El Khatib is one of the ten greats who surpassed the 100-goal mark in the Egyptian Premier League, scoring 109 goals wearing Al Ahly’s jersey.
He was also the first to win the title of the best player in Africa and the Golden Ball in 1983.
El Khatib played a crucial role in Al Ahly’s first African star, scoring three goals in the 1982 final against Asante Kotoko of Ghana.
Mohamed Aboutrika, one of the most prominent figures bringing joy to the hearts of Egyptian fans with his goals and lasting achievements.
He scored the decisive goal in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations and the crucial penalty in 2006, playing 100 international matches and scoring 38 goals for the Pharaohs.
Aboutrika scored 106 goals in the league with Al Ahly and Tersana, in addition to 28 continental goals with Al Ahly, including the famous ones against Sfaxien, securing the 2006 CAF Champions League, and winning 22 varied titles.
Hossam Hassan, “The Sniper” and goal-lover, one of the football legends who deserves extended discussion of his achievements on New Year’s Eve in the “Santa Claus of Egyptian Football” file.
Hossam Hassan, the all-time top scorer for the Egyptian national team with 68 goals and the former record-holder for the most international appearances globally, with 176 matches.
Goals with historical significance and archives define Hossam Hassan’s legacy with Al Ahly, Zamalek, and the Egyptian national team.
Notably, he scored the goal that secured Egypt’s qualification for the 1990 World Cup after a 56-year absence, and seven historic goals led the national team to victory in the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations in Burkina Faso, among other achievements.
The list goes on, featuring legends like Hamed Emam, Hazem Emam, Saleh Selim, Mostafa Reyadh, Ali Abu Jerga, Farouk Jaafar, and others.
On New Year’s Eve, after reviewing some numbers and accomplishments of Egyptian football stars, it’s your time to choose the “Santa Claus” of the football realm in the fortified land of Egypt.
