Today marks a significant milestone in Al Ahly's history, as November 3, 2003, witnessed the debut of striker Emad Meteb in the first team. The Portuguese coach Toni Oliveira gave him the opportunity as a substitute in a match against Baladiyat El Mahalla, launching the sharpshooter's extraordinary career filled with achievements and records.
The Beginning in the Youth Sector
Emad Meteb's journey with Al Ahly began in 1996 when he joined the youth sector from Belbeis Sporting Club. He quickly caught attention with his scoring skills before earning his chance with the first team, netting his first goal for Al Ahly against Suez Cement.
In the same season, Meteb suffered a severe injury with a torn ACL during his first match under Portuguese coach Manuel Jose against Ghazl El Mahalla, but he managed to return and continue his career successfully.
Record Numbers and Numerous Titles with Al Ahly
Emad Meteb became one of the most prominent strikers in Al Ahly's history, winning the Egyptian Premier League top scorer title in the 2004-2005 season with 15 goals. Throughout his approximately 15-year career with the Red Devils, he secured 11 Egyptian league titles.
The sharpshooter also won the Egypt Cup three times, scoring 19 goals in 24 matches in the competition, in addition to contributing to seven Egyptian Super Cup titles.
Meteb played 320 matches for Al Ahly across various competitions, managing to score 126 goals, making him one of the top scorers to wear the red jersey in the club's history.
Emad Meteb Shines Against Zamalek and on the African Stage
The former Al Ahly striker delivered impressive performances in the Cairo derby, ranking second on the list of Al Ahly's top scorers against Zamalek, having scored 10 goals in 6 matches, establishing himself as one of the stars of the derby over many years.
On the African front, Meteb ranked third among Egyptian scorers, netting 28 goals in 93 appearances in African competitions.
Historic Achievement in the FIFA Club World Cup
Emad Meteb left a significant mark in Al Ahly's participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, playing 9 matches and scoring 2 goals, becoming the first player in Al Ahly's history to score in the global tournament.
Unforgettable Achievements with the Egyptian National Team
Meteb's successes were not limited to the local and continental levels with Al Ahly; they also extended to the national teams, where he led the youth team to win the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in 2003 under coach Hassan Shehata.
He was also a key player in the golden generation of the Egyptian national team, which won three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
Meteb scored 33 goals for the national team, ranking sixth on the list of Egypt's all-time top scorers.
Two Professional Stints in the Saudi League
Emad Meteb had two professional experiences in the Saudi League, the first being with Ittihad Jeddah on loan during the 2008-2009 season, where he succeeded in winning the Saudi league title and finished third in the league's top scorers list with 10 goals.
The second experience was with Al Taawoun, also on loan, adding another chapter to his illustrious career.
With these numbers and titles, Emad Meteb remains one of the most prominent strikers in the history of Egyptian football and Al Ahly, having successfully combined scoring prowess with titles and historic moments that remain etched in the memories of the Red Fortress's fans.