Haïssem Hassan’s Paris roots to Egypt’s World Cup run and Argentina test | OneFootball

Raised in Paris, Haïssem Hassan has sprinted from Ligue 2 to the World Cup in the United States. The 24-year-old and the Pharaohs meet Argentina and Lionel Messi in the last 16 on Tuesday at 18:00.

He made his tournament bow as a 67th-minute substitute against Australia in the round of 32, after administrative issues kept him out of the group stage. According to L'Équipe, the right winger collected his first senior Egypt appearances in March.

Born to Tunisian mother Widad and Egyptian father Yousfry, he grew up in Saint-Blaise in Paris, crossing the tram tracks to play. He cut his teeth at Déjerine, a Paris FC stronghold, before moving to Châteauroux.

He has lived this stage before, at the 2019 Under-17 World Cup in Colombia with France alongside Maghnès Akliouche and Arnaud Kalimuendo. Coach Jean-Claude Giuntini remembers his speed and one-versus-one dribbling. Akliouche is at this World Cup with the seniors, while Nathanaël Mbuku went out in the round of 32 with DR Congo.

Post-lockdown he chose Villarreal from 2020 to 2023, drawn to Spanish football and life. There he learned patience and new methods under Unai Emery, Quique Setien and Marcelino, with Ligue 2 loans aiding his growth.

Representing his father’s country was a long-planned personal choice in a set-up with few dual nationals. He recalls watching Egypt on television with his dad and the joy of the 2010 AFCON title. Facing the world champions, he believes that holding on to big dreams can still make things possible.

Source: L'Équipe