Essam El-Hadary buries the hatchet with Yassine Bounou

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·3. Juli 2025

Essam El-Hadary buries the hatchet with Yassine Bounou

Essam El-Hadary backtracks for Yassine Bounou

Essam El-Hadary/@BBC

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Amid a social media storm following controversial comments about Yassine Bounou, Essam El-Hadary has moved to set the record straight by sharing a message in which he praises the Moroccan Al-Hilal goalkeeper.

The legendary Egypt shot-stopper came under fire for his attitude towards Yassine Bounou. The controversy was sparked by a message from a fan, which El-Hadary shared after Al-Hilal’s keeper delivered a heroic performance against Manchester City in the Round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Those who think Bounou is the greatest goalkeeper in African history have never seen El-Hadary!

The former Al Ahly Cairo keeper put the controversy to rest with the following statement.

My brother, friend, and dear Bounou, with whom I am always in contact. We are all proud of you. I believe he is currently the best Arab and African goalkeeper, along with Mohamed El Shennawy.Bounou’s heroic save against Manchester City reminds me of my own against El Hadji Diouf in the Egypt-Senegal match. It shows just how hard he has worked in training to reach this level.

The Atlas Lions’ goalkeeper will need to replicate his stunning display against Fluminense this Friday at 19:00 GMT to book Al-Hilal a spot in the last four of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Abderrazak Hamdallah a été prêté à Al-Hilal pour disputer la Coupe du Monde des Clubs, aux côtés de son compatriote Yassine Bounou. Ce transfert intervient après la blessure de Mitrović, à la veille des quarts de finale contre Fluminense. #marocdiplomatique #CoupeDuMondeDesClubs
– Donnerstag, 3. Juli 2025