An unforgettable memory for Hazem Emam: the first Egyptian player to enter Serie A through Udinese.
On this day, October 12, 1996, Hazem Emam, the former star of Zamalek and the Egyptian national team, etched his name into the annals of Egyptian football history by becoming the first Egyptian player to officially participate in Serie A, during his appearance with Udinese against Napoli. The match ended in a 1-1 draw as part of the fifth round of the 1996-1997 season.
Historical Appearance Against Napoli
The match, held at the Stadio San Paolo, saw Hazem Emam come on as a substitute for Rafael Sergio in the 62nd minute, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Egyptian star's professional career and making him the first Egyptian to play in an official Serie A match.
This milestone represented an important turning point in the career of the "Little Fox," who had a professional experience in European leagues, moving between Italy and the Netherlands before returning to Zamalek in 2000 to continue his journey with the White Castle.
Hazem Emam's Numbers in Italian Football
During his time with Udinese, Hazem Emam played in 11 Serie A matches, totaling 220 minutes, in addition to participating in 3 Coppa Italia matches for 128 minutes and appearing in 2 UEFA Europa League matches for a total of 27 minutes.
Despite the brevity of his experience compared to the careers of several Egyptian professionals who followed him, Hazem Emam remained a pioneer in opening doors for Egyptian players in one of Europe's strongest leagues.
From Hazem Emam to Mohamed Salah: Egyptians in Serie A
After Hazem Emam's historic experience, Serie A saw the arrival of several Egyptian players, including Hani Said, who joined Bari in the 1998-1999 season, and Ahmed Hossam "Mido," who had a stint with Roma in 2004.
Ahmed Hegazi also moved to Fiorentina in 2012, before Mohamed Salah had an outstanding experience in Italian football with Fiorentina and Roma in 2015 and 2016, continuing the legacy of Egyptian professionals in Serie A.
Hazem Emam's appearance against Napoli on October 12, 1996, remains a significant milestone in the history of Egyptian football, as it marked the beginning that preceded the emergence of other Egyptian names in Italian football and solidified the "Little Fox's" status among the prominent stars of Egyptian football who ventured into European professional experiences.
