On Saturday, Abdallah El-Said announced his retirement from international football after Egypt’s defeat to Senegal in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON) in Cameroon.
The 36-year-old had made his international debut back in 2008 in a 1-0 defeat to Malawi under legendary coach Hassan Shehata, before going on to represent the Pharaohs on 58 occasions.
However, Abdallah failed to make Egypt’s winning squad for the 2010 AFCON, and had to wait three more years for his second cap as he started to become regularly called up by the national team starting only from 2015.
It was Héctor Cúper who got the best out of him, with El-Said scoring a couple of crucial goals to lead Egypt to the 2018 World Cup after a 28-year absence.
Despite his old age, El-Said still made the squads for the 2019 & 2021 AFCONs, making just two appearances during the latter and assisting the winner against Sudan.
“However, today, I announce my retirement from international football with Egypt after all these years in which I had the honor to represent my country, Egypt.
“A decision that I prepared before the tournament, and I hoped that we would be its champions so that it would be the best conclusion to my international career, but thank God anyway."
“Finally, all the best to the players and the technical staff for the next important period, and God willing, we will qualify for the World Cup,” he added.
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