Egypt is a land of history, landmarks and cultural importance. Alexandria, the country’s second-largest city, located at the western edge of the Nile River delta, housed one of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world. A hive of knowledge and power, it’s no wonder that Egypt’s empirical stature spread into many facets of modern life.

For the North African nation, it’s clear that their methodological approach and thirst for knowledge has seeped down to football — as Egypt presents itself as one of the continent’s bastions of ability. Egypt is Africa’s oldest national football team, and proudly holds a record seven Africa Cup of Nations victories. The Pharoahs, as they’re aptly nicknamed, have made multiple appearances in the World Cup and were the first-ever African and Middle Eastern team to make such an appearance.

The country have had some legendary and talented players turn out for them over the years, including current Liverpool star Mohamed Salah. But where does he rank among the 15 greatest Egyptian players in football history?

15

Omar Marmoush

Career span: 2016-Present

During his time in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt, Omar Marmoush was considered one of the best strikers on the planet. 15 goals and 10 assists in the first half of the 2024/2025 season caught the attention of Manchester City, who paid £59 million for his services.

Despite minutes with City being harder to come by than they were in Germany, the Cairo-born forward has scored some impressive goals since his arrival. He suits up for his country alongside Mohamed Salah and gives Egyptian fans a lot to be excited about going forward, and he’ll be hoping that his talent can lead his country to a first AFCON title since 2010.

14

Ahmed Elmohamady

Career span: 2004-2021

A two-time winner of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (2008, 2010), where he played in a third final in 2017, Ahmed Elmohamady is ranked 11th in our rankings. Having initially started his career as a centre-forward, it was as a right-back that he finally exploded onto the scene.

Transferred from Egyptian club ENPPI to Sunderland in 2010 (on loan), the Pharaohs international went on to spend more than ten years playing in the Premier League and Championship, alternating between promotions and promotions during his English years. During this European adventure, he also played for Hull City and Aston Villa, with whom he will retire in 2021 before becoming one of the club’s ambassadors.

13

Mohamed Diab Al-Attar

Career span: 1944-1958

Mohamed Diab Al-Attar, also known as Ad-Diba, is one of the greatest African players of all time. The attacking leader of Al-Ittihad Alexandria Club, he made history by finishing top scorer in the inaugural season of the Egyptian Premier League in 1948.

A club with which he spent his entire career before, in 1958, he swapped his football boots for those of a referee in a post-career that occupied some twenty years of his life. On the international front, he was a member of the Egyptian team that won the 1957 African Cup of Nations, where he also finished as Golden Shoe winner.

12

Mahmoud Al-Gohary

Career span: 1955-1961

Mahmoud Al-Gorahy is remembered as the first man in history to win the African Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach. The first of these successes came in 1959, two years after the Egyptians’ first triumph and almost 40 years before he lifted the prestigious trophy as a manager.

Unfortunately for him, his career on the field was shorter than he had expected, as knee problems prevented him from completing what many had thought was a promising adventure. And so it was after just six years with Al Ahly, with whom he won numerous titles, including five championships, that he finally decided to retire.

11

Abdulrahman Fawzi

Career span: 1928-1947

It would certainly have been difficult to compile this list without also including the first African goalscorer in the history of the World Cup. Abdulrahman Fawzi, a legend on the Egyptian national football scene whose career with Al-Masry and Zamalek is still remembered, made history at the 1934 World Cup.

At that tournament, he not only became the first player from the continent to find the net, but also the first to score twice. This impressive feat was achieved against Hungary, who might even have conceded a third goal had Fawzi not had his effort disallowed for a more than debatable offside position.

10

Mohamed Zidan

Career span: 1999-2015

Here is a true cult striker. Mohamed Zidan was an excellent forward for both club and country, yet it’s his domestic career that sees him feature. He ventured through eight different teams and it all began when he left Egypt for Denmark as a young player. Zidan developed a knack for finishing, as well as positional awareness and fine dribbling, and progressed from Akademisk Boldklub to FC Midtjylland before scoring exploits saw him move to the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen.

Zidan and the Bundesliga just clicked, and he embarked on an eight-year stay that reaped a DFL-Ligapokal in 2006 with Bremen, and back-to-back league titles with Borussia Dortmund in 2010/11 and 2011/12. Sandwiched between those accolades were Zidan’s two mercurial stints at Mainz with 22 goals in 41 games, before a third saw him score seven goals in 12.

Perhaps a prelude to the German’s famous relationship with another Egyptian forward, it’s no wonder Jurgen Klopp held the second striker in such high regard. Under Klopp’s stewardship, Zidan scored a total of 36 goals and registered 14 assists in 118 games split across both Mainz and Dortmund.

Internationally, the striker who had a penchant for coloured hair – when he wasn’t clean-shaven – scored 13 goals in 44 games and could’ve flourished further had it not been for his fallings out within the national team set-up. The striker still won two Afcon titles with his country though, and played a keen part too – scoring his side’s second goal in the semi-finals of the 2010 edition as Egypt demolished Algeria 4-0.

9

Hassan El-Shazly

Career span: 1959-1978

Hassan El-Shazly deserves recognition in this list as a prelude to so many excellent Egyptians that followed him. A dedicated servant of Tersana, where he won just one Egyptian Premier League and two league cups, El-Shazly was described as a simply devastating shooter, being lethal with both feet. The Giza native went down as the Africa Cup of Nations’ all-time top Egyptian scorer, and domestically, he was the Egyptian Premier League top goalscorer four times – which contributed to him becoming the all-time top scorer in the division with 173 goals.

Internationally, El-Shazly never won a Cup of Nations, yet by finishing third three times, he still left his mark on the tournament. He was the top scorer with six goals at the 1963 Afcon and scored five goals in the 1970 edition, before he scored his 12th goal in the competition four years later, becoming Egypt’s all-time top scorer at the tournament.

A winner’s medal did come at the 1965 Arab Games when he was the tournament’s top scorer with nine goals. In total, he played 62 international games and scored 49 goals for his country.

8

Mahmoud El Khatib

Career span: 1972-1988

Nicknamed Bibo, El Khatib is this list’s second forefather of Egyptian football. He was an icon during the 70s and 80s and was honoured as African Footballer of the Year in 1983, before going one better to be named as the Arab Sportsman of the 20th century. He was recognised by IFFHS as the joint 11th-best African player of the last century and by CAF in 2007 as the second greatest.

A hugely dominant figure with Al Ahly, El Khatib won almost a dozen domestic titles with the Cairo giants and also crucially helped build the club’s continental reputation, playing a role in their CAF Champions League triumphs in 1982 and 1987.

El Khatib won the continental crown with Egypt in 1986 and also played at the Olympic Games two years earlier. After retirement, El Khatib embarked on a sports management career before he was elected onto Al Ahly’s board. In 2004, he became the vice-president of Al Ahly, before being elected as president in 2017. A fine finisher with an unrelenting engine, El Khatib was also the Egyptian League’s top scorer twice.

7

Mohamed Barakat

Career Span: 1995-2013

A right-footed playmaker, Mohamed Barakat typically played as a right-winger or attacking midfielder for Al Ahly and Egypt. In his pomp, the elegant Barakat was deemed by many to be one of the most talented players in Africa. His hallmarks were surging runs from midfield which often disrupted opposition defences, as well as a box-to-box work ethic, which made him an important figure both in defence and attack.

For Al Ahly, Barakat scored 41 goals in 149 league games, and became a feared member of Egypt’s ‘Bermuda Triangle’, a front three comprising Barakat, Mohamed Aboutrika and Emad Moteab.

Barakat was at the peak of his powers in the mid-2000s. He helped his club win the CAF Champions League in 2005 and 2006 respectively, as well as Egypt’s fifth Afcon that same year on home soil. In total, Barakat achieved a whopping 25 honours with Al Ahly including seven Egyptian Premier League titles.

Individually, 2005 was a crowning year for Barakat, as he won the BBC African Footballer of the Year award ahead of Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o and Obafemi Martins of Nigeria.

6

Wael Gomaa

Career Span: 1993-2008

So far, forward-thinking players have dominated this list. However, it must be said that Egypt can produce excellent defenders too. Regarded as one of the best African defenders of all time, Wael Gomaa was known for his passing accuracy and the ability to score from both corners and free-kicks. Although not the tallest centre-back at 6ft, Gomaa was an athletic presence and possessed great jumping ability to score important headers – evidenced by his goal in the CAF Champions League 2008 final against Cotonsport Garoua of Cameroon.

Gomaa started his career with Ghazl El Mahalla, before his raw talent caught the eye of Al Ahly, who Mahalla played in the 2001 Egyptian Cup final. Following the move, Gomaa went on to make 364 appearances and steadily established himself as Al Ahly’s best defender. With the Cairo club, Gomaa won 26 honours.

For the national side, Gomaa made his debut in 2001 before developing into a pivotal part of a three-time Afcon-winning side. In the 2008 and 2010 tournaments, the defender played in every game – and rose to the occasion consistently to defend against top European league players such as Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o.

Spain has a long history of producing extremely talented players, with many modern football fans remembering the dominant national side between 2008 and 2012 that lifted three major trophies.

A nation with a history of technically gifted footballers, La Roja has seen some of the best players to ever play the beautiful gamedon the famous red shirt. Alfredo Di Stefano would be right at the top of a list containing the best players to ever play for the country at international level, but the prolific forward has been left out of the below rankings as he was born in Argentina.

Any list of Spain’s greatest players may well need revisiting in the years to come. Pedri has already established himself as one of the world’s best midfielders, drawing comparisons to some names on the list below. Lamine Yamal, meanwhile, is already making the game look easy, when others his age are barely getting started.

That said, here’s a ranking of the top 15 Spanish players in history:

1

Andres Iniesta

Career Span: 2000-2024

Andres Iniesta is our number one Spanish player of all time. The magical midfielder achieved everything possible in terms of team honours, lifting multiple La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. His legacy isn’t just limited to club football, however, as Iniesta was instrumental in perhaps the greatest Spain team ever.

His extra-time goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands cemented his place in the history of his country forever. He played a vital part in the team’s European Championship successes in both 2008 and 2012. His longevity in the sport has meant he finishes just above a teammate he worked extremely well with during his peak years.

2

Xavi

Career Span: 1997-2019

Xavi misses out on top spot marginally to his former colleague at club and international level. Playing a different role to Iniesta, the maestro was just as important to Barcelona’s success throughout the 2000s and 2010s. He controlled the midfield like a conductor with his passing range being unmatched by his peers.

His trophy cabinet is impressive, as Xavi was part of the same successful sides as Iniesta. His deep-lying role in Pep Guardiola’s dominant Barca side was a thing of beauty. The 44-year-old even found glory elsewhere, lifting trophies in Qatar during a spell with Al Sadd.

3

Sergio Ramos

Career Span: 2003-2026

There have been so many great central defenders in the history of the game and Sergio Ramos ranks extremely high in that conversation. A fiery character on the pitch with underrated technical ability in possession of the ball, the Spaniard was one of the very best in his position for over a decade.

Even in his late thirties, the Real Madrid icon was still playing top-flight football in his home country after returning to Sevilla — the club his senior career started at. Ramos was part of the most dominant period any club side has enjoyed in Champions League history, helping Los Blancos to four titles in five years. His last-gasp header against bitter rivals Atletico in 2014 is perhaps the most legendary moment of his long and storied career.

4

Iker Casillas

Career Span: 1997-2020

There are few goalkeepers in the history of football that can claim to have had better careers than Iker Casillas. The shot-stopper was unbelievable during his best years at the Santiago Bernabeu. Despite being slightly shorter than average for a ‘keeper (under 6’0″), he made up for it with his wonderful agility and clever positioning.

In terms of the national side, Casillas kept Victor Valdes out of the Spain team even when Barcelona were at their most dominant. He was named in the Team of the Tournament in each of his nation’s major successes over four years, proving his importance to one of the best teams in modern history.

5

Raul

Career Span: 1994-2015

With over 300 career goals to his name, Raul Gonzalez had to be included on this list. The former Real Madrid forward was clinical when presented with a goal-scoring opportunity. He is best known for his time in La Liga as the Spanish legend scored goals for fun in his home country.

Spells with Schalke, Al Sadd and New York Cosmos came in the twilight years of his career, but the left-footed poacher still had the knack of finding the back of the net. His scoring record in international football wasn’t bad, either, as Raul hit 44 goals in just over 100 appearances.

6

Sergio Busquets

Career Span: 2008-2025

The unsung hero of both Barcelona and Spain’s successes in the past two decades. Sergio Busquets is one of the most aesthetically pleasing footballers to watch on the planet, as the holding midfielder’s intelligence allows him to pick up space anywhere on the pitch and spray passes wherever he pleases.

Taking over from Xavi was never going to be an easy feat, but he did so seamlessly during Barca’s previously mentioned era of dominance in European football. After linking up with former teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba at Inter Miami for three seasons, Busquets hung up his boots in 2025, bringing down the curtain on a career that saw him win 37 trophies.

7

Luis Suarez

Career Span: 1952-1973

No, not that one. Before the Luis Suarez modern-day fans know and love, there was a player with the same name. The attacking player remains one of just two Spaniards to lift the Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious individual honour in the game.

He did so all the way back in 1960, after helping Barcelona to back-to-back La Liga successes. Suarez would go on to add two European Cups to his trophy cabinet during a stint with Inter Milan. It was during his time with the Italian giants that he helped Spain to a European Nations’ Cup in 1964.

8

David Villa

Career Span: 2000-2019

Spain’s all-time top goalscorer simply had to get into the top 10. David Villa was integral to Barcelona’s success in the early 2010s, famously scoring at Wembley Stadium as his club defeated Manchester United 3-1 in the 2011 Champions League final.

He netted 59 goals for his country in 98 games, leaving him with a record better than a goal every two matches. The ex-Valencia star didn’t always play centrally, either, as Villa played a large portion of his games on the left wing. There were few players with a more deadly right foot than the heroic Spaniard.

9

Carles Puyol

Career Span: 1996-2014

It shows how many good players have come from Spain that Barcelona’s legendary captain Carles Puyol ranks so low on this list. We are talking about one of the best defenders to have stepped foot on a football pitch, who was willing to put his body on the line for his club and country time and time again.

His header against Germany in the 2010 World Cup semi-final was enough to lead La Roja to the final, in which Iniesta scored the winning goal. Puyol is a rare breed as he remained loyal to his beloved Barcelona throughout his career, retiring at the club as a hero who achieved everything.

10

Emilio Butragueno

Career Span: 1981-1998

Emilio Butragueno is possibly a lesser-known name on this list, as the best work the Real Madrid icon did came in the 1980s. Winning six La Liga trophies, Butragueno is one of the most successful players to come through the ranks at the Spanish club.

The 5’7″ striker was incredibly difficult for opposing defenders to deal with, as his pace and agility were impressive. His best showing in the famous red shirt of Spain came in the Euro 1984 tournament as his side unfortunately finished runners-up but Butragueno’s contributions earned him a place in the Team of the Tournament and a Silver Ball award.

A member of Japan’s national football team has been accused of breaking a kit rule during the 2026 World Cup clash against Netherlands on Sunday.

The two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the AT&T Stadium in Texas. Following a goalless first half, the game came to life when Virgil van Dijk put Netherlands ahead shortly after the interval.

Keito Nakamura equalised minutes later before West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville restored the Oranje’s one-goal advantage. However, Ronald Koeman’s side were denied two valuable points when Daichi Kamada scored late on.

Japan Player Acccused of Breaking Kit Rule

Kai Pfaffenbach via Reuters

Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu went viral on social media for deploying a never-seen-before tactic with his whiteboard.

Meanwhile, images of Nakamura have also spread across social media platforms, with football fans convinced the 25-year-old wasn’t wearing any shin pads.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the organisation responsible for the laws of the game, state that shin pads are a mandatory piece of equipment that all footballers must wear while playing.

Law 4.2 states that shin pads must:

• Be made of a suitable material.
• Be of an appropriate size to provide reasonable protection and be covered by the socks.
• And players are responsible for the size and suitability of their shin pads.

While the law does not define what an “appropriate” shin tag is, with the decision ultimately left to each individual player, they must still provide “reasonable protection”.

Former FIFA Ref Reacts

Kai Pfaffenbach via Reuters

Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett said in response to the images of Nakamura:

Some football fans have claimed that Nakamura was wearing tiny shin pads underneath his socks, but whether these offer reasonable protection is debatable.

There’s been a growing trend in recent years of certain top-level footballers wearing small shin pads. One of the most famous examples is Everton’s Jack Grealish, who wears shin pads that are between large child and small adult size.

While players like Nakamura and Grealish may see little harm in wearing small shin pads, former Wycombe Wanderers club doctor Bob Sangar strongly disagrees with the growing trend.

“Some modern-day football boots have got sharp angled studs quite capable of slicing through a sock, skin and muscle. I’ve seen freak injuries,” he said.

“Last year we had a game at Bristol Rovers and one of our forwards ended up with a cut that required close to 30 stitches and he had to have a plastic surgical repair, and that was literally just a stud running down the outside of his leg.”

He added: “We worry so much about the safety of players with concussion, I cannot fathom why there is less attention on the risk of serious leg injuries. We wouldn’t send soldiers into the battlefield without body armour – but footballers will go on to the field wearing a shirt, shorts and that’s it.

“This is going to keep happening until something very negative happens and then people will realise they should have done something sooner.”