Egypt’s El-Hadary hangs up his gloves at 45

Egypt’s record-breaking goalkeeper and oldest player, Essam El-Hadary has retired from internationals.
The veteran goalkeeper, 45, earned his place in history during Egypt’s 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, where he became the oldest man to play at a World Cup this summer.
Essam El-Hadary overtook Colombia’s Faryd Mondragn, who played the last five minutes of a group game in Brazil four years ago, at the age of 43 years and three days.
“After 22 years, four months and 12 days, I saw it as the best moment to hang up my gloves,” El-Hadary said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
The veteran player handed his debut in 1996 and went on to play in 159 matches in a career that spanned over two decades.
He has won four African Nations Cup titles and three African Champions Leagues but this is his first World Cup experience. Also, he was named the best goalkeeper in Africa four times.
El-Hadary was Egypt’s first choice for most of the qualifying and during the run to the final of the last Nations Cup tournament at the beginning of last year.