WORLD CUP FOCUS: Essam El-Hadary dreams of playing in Russia

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Wednesday Apr 04, 2018. 09:29

Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary said the word impossible does not exist in his vocabulary because he wants to get better every day.

The Pharaohs international said age is just a number and also revealed that he trains hard every week to remain in tip-top shape.

El-Hadary revealed that he dreams of playing at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, stressing that age is just a number.

The 45-year-old Al-Taawoun keeper could become the oldest player to participate in the World Cup if he gets the chance to play with the Pharoahs.

"My age is 45 years old, but for me, this is just a number on paper," El-Hadary told BBC Sports.

“I train hard every day, I don't know what the word 'impossible' means. I will keep fighting until the World Cup to have the chance to play and defend my homeland colours."

El-Hadary has many achievements with Egypt, having won the Africa Cup of Nations four times during his international career, which began in March 1996.

"I've won many titles, but I have not played at a World Cup and this is the dream I want to make true, that is my main objective," he explained.

"I'm very happy to play at the World Cup, and that is a message to all footballers and others around the world, that you should believe in your dreams and fight to make them come true."