Mansour Ali Ibrahim was known as ‘Mansour Al-Riyadi (‘Mansour the Athlete’) [Mansour Sports]
At 57 years of age, Mansour Ali Ibrahim, known as ‘Mansour Al-Riyadi (‘Mansour the Athlete’), has officially retired from football, making him the oldest registered football player in the world, according to pan-Arab media.
He was the oldest player officially registered with the Egyptian Football Association, playing for Beir Al-Abd SC in North Sinai in Egypt’s third-division league.
The veteran footballer played as both a striker and a midfielder, staying on the pitch for decades – long enough to play alongside his 29-year-old son in the same club.
Speaking to Al Arabiya, Mansour Al-Riyadi said he had continued playing until 57 years of age to send a message to younger players who retire in their thirties, proving that “age is just a number”.
He said that he had never faced health issues or physical struggles, even at an age when most players retire.
“I have set a record as the world’s oldest football player, surpassing the previous record of 56 years old. Now, at 57, I have decided to retire,” he said, adding that he had participated in all his team’s matches “without difficulty”.
Mansour Al-Riyadi’s career stands as a testament to endurance and passion in Egyptian football, but he is not the first Egyptian player to defy age expectations on the pitch.
In 2020, Ezzeldin Bahader made headlines when he officially became the world’s oldest professional footballer at 74 years of age.
Registered with the Egyptian Football Association, he played for October 6 Club in Egypt’s third-division league and was recognised by Guinness World Records for completing full matches at an age when most players have long retired.
Egypt has long produced footballers known for their longevity, with many continuing to play professionally well into their late 30s and early 40s.
Legendary goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, for example, became the oldest player to compete in a FIFA World Cup when he played for Egypt at age 45 in the 2018 tournament.
