Thursday 12/February/2026 – 09:37 PM
Essam El-Hadary, the former star of Al-Ahly and the Egyptian national team, sparked controversy with strong statements in which he affirmed his great pride in his football history, stressing that he will continue to describe himself as a “legend” without hesitation.
Essam El-Hadary: Whoever does not like that I call myself a legend should go drink from the Kafr al-Batikh canal
Al-Hadary said, “Whoever does not like that I call myself a legend should go and drink from the Kafr Al-Batikh canal,” stressing that his country, Kafr Al-Batikh, is the one that made his name and history, and that he has the right to be proud of his achievements, especially after being crowned the best goalkeeper award in Africa four times.
He added that the competition for the title of best goalkeeper in Egypt has now become a subject of great interest, pointing out the difference between different generations of goalkeepers.
Al-Hadary spoke about Al-Ahly, stressing that “whoever did not play in Al-Ahly club did not play football,” explaining that his speech did not aim to return to the Red Castle, but rather reflected his conviction in the value of the club. He also pointed out that Al-Ahly possesses “divine success” that often appears in deciding matches in the final minutes, especially the 90th minute.
Al-Hadary concluded his statements by pointing out that Al-Ahly, despite the presence of some negatives, is distinguished by its ability not to show them in the media, which preserves its stability and continued success.
