74 year-old Egyptian grandpa becomes the world’s oldest footballer (photos)

A 74 year old Egyptian grandpa, Ezzeldin Bahader has finally been honoured by the Guinness World Records as the oldest professional football player in the world game.

Bahader started his bid to break the record earlier this year, but his efforts had been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic which brought to a halt to football in Egypt.

He broke the record while playing for local side 6 October El Ayat Sports club in the Egyptian third tier on Saturday, after meeting the criteria required by the Guinness World Records.

The Guiness World Records required him to feature in two professional matches in order to clinch the record.

During Saturday’s 3-2 defeat, despite missing a penalty, he was cheered on enthusiastically by his extended family and grandchildren.

“I dream of being able to break my own record one more time, just to make the competition a little harder,” Bahader told journalists [as per Reuters], after knocking 73-year-old Israeli player Israeli Isaak Hayik off top spot.

Bahader, turns 75 on November 5.

The father of four joined October 6 in January, and made his debut in a 1-1 draw against Genius in a third-division match back in March.

“I became the oldest professional footballer scoring a goal in an official game,” Bahader was quoted as saying by BBC Sport in the aftermath of the match.

“This is something that was achieved in the last minute of the game that I thought I wouldn’t achieve,” he added. 

“I was injured and all what I hoped for was to continue for the full 90 minutes and play the next game.”