In every corner of the world, a new football talent emerges from the land of the Nile, confirming that the Egyptian Pharaonic genome transcends borders and makes a difference wherever it is found.
In line with the vision of political leadership and the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to seek out talents and expand the discovery base to support national teams, we open this special file to track the "migratory birds of Egypt" in various leagues and global academies.
We will meet with you weekly on a new exploratory journey, highlighting talents with dual nationality, as we analyze their potential, playing positions, and opportunities to join the Pharaohs, aiming to provide a comprehensive vision that contributes to enhancing the future of Egyptian football and building promising generations that achieve continental and global ambitions.
Jihad Al-Adawi: A Rising Egyptian Striker in Brazil
Currently part of the Egypt U-13 national team, under the guidance of coach Abdel Sattar Sabri, the talented striker Jihad Al-Adawi plays for Brazilian club Santos and holds both Egyptian and Brazilian nationalities, giving him a bright future in representing either national team.
Player Identity and Background
His full name is Jihad Ayman Gamal El-Sayed Mohamed, known as "Jihad Al-Adawi." Born in January 2011, he is 15 years old and was born in Brazil to Egyptian parents, allowing him to hold both Egyptian and Brazilian citizenship.
In May 2025, Santos FC successfully signed Jihad, and he was officially registered in the Brazilian Football Confederation's system with a contract that extends until May 13, 2029.
Rise and Football Journey
Jihad's passion for football began at the age of three at the "Estrelas do Dom José" academy in his neighborhood, under the supervision of coach "Leo." He then trained for several years at the "Meninos da Vila" academy and the "Embuense" club.
He later moved to other sports projects, most notably "Revolution" in Barra Funda and "Mini Craques" under coach Leo Moreno.
During that time, he combined football with futsal, playing for teams in São Paulo and São Caetano.
As he focused more on larger pitches, he joined the São Paulo U-11 team and stayed with them until the U-13 category, while also playing futsal at the (AABB) academy until last year.
In the U-14 category, he moved to play with Corinthians before settling at Santos, which focuses on recruiting foreign talents and dual nationals in its youth sector.
Last July, Jihad Al-Adawi won his first official title with Santos after clinching the "July 2" U-15 Cup, following a 1-0 victory in the final against Vitória, held at the Evaristo de Macedo Center on Wednesday, July 15.
The Egyptian striker Jihad Al-Adawi was one of the key players in Santos' lineup during this tournament.
Jihad Al-Adawi: An Egyptian Striker at Santos
Jihad Al-Adawi plays as a center forward and currently represents the youth sector at Santos in the U-15 category, where he has delivered impressive performances that have caught the attention of the club's officials.
The young Egyptian striker has earned the trust of Santos' management, securing a long-term professional contract that extends until 2029, with a high release clause, reflecting the club's commitment to his talent and desire to retain him amid interest from other clubs.
Al-Adawi continues to develop within the Santos academy, one of Brazil's leading clubs in talent development, where he has shown remarkable performances with the youth teams and left a clear mark in the Brazilian youth league, especially in the Paulista U-15 Championship.
An Egyptian Talent Alongside Neymar at Santos
Jihad Al-Adawi's experience at Santos becomes even more significant with the presence of Brazilian star Neymar in the first team, making the young Egyptian player part of a club historically known for producing many of Brazil's top football talents.
The coaching staff of the Egypt U-17 national team hopes to benefit from Al-Adawi's attacking abilities in upcoming competitions, while the player looks forward to seizing his first opportunity with the Pharaohs to prove himself and write a new chapter in his international career with his national team.
