كتب : Omar AbdelAziz
The 35-year-old was named CAF’s African-based Player of 2010 after leading Egypt to a third successive Africa Cup of Nations title in February.
He was also part of CAF’s best XI along with Egypt duo Wael Gomaa and Ahmed Elmohamady; another feat which answered back skeptics.
“I want to see the faces of those who called for my retirement,” Hassan said in an interview with Ahli’s satellite channel.
“I was subjected to a vicious campaign of media criticism this year, along with my Ahli teammates Gomaa, Mohamed Abou-Treika and Mohamed Barakat.
“Gomaa and I were chosen in Africa team of the year, so are the CAF pundits wrong against those who called for our retirement?
“Most of my achievements came when I was over 30. I won three CAN titles and was named the tournament’s best player twice.”
2000 pounds!
Hassan revealed that he almost Ahli from childhood club Maghagha, only for the Cairo giants to pull out of the deal because of EGP 2000.
“Ahli offered EGP 5000 to sign me from Maghagha 18 years ago, but the latter wanted EGP 7000, so the deal collapsed,” said the former Anderlecht ace.
“I then joined Qanah and Aswan before moving to Ismaili, who also denied me from joining Ahli, this time the price was $100,000.”
Hassan signed for Ahli in 2008 on a free transfer from Anderlecht, following a decade of success in Turkey and Belgium.