Tarek Hamed, the Egyptian midfielder who represented Saudi Arabia’s top football clubs during a notable chapter of his career, announced his retirement from the sport on Friday evening, closing a professional journey that spanned close to two decades and earned him honours across multiple leagues.
Hamed made the announcement after a match between Zamalek, the Egyptian club with which he forged his greatest achievements, and Belouizdad, in front of a packed crowd at Cairo International Stadium. Supporters raised banners reading “A Knight and a Warrior — Thank You Tarek Hamed,” and the player responded by turning to face the crowd and confirming his decision to leave the game.
A Career That Crossed Into the Saudi Pro League
Born in Mansoura in 1988, Hamed built his reputation as a disciplined, technically assured defensive midfielder at Zamalek before his career took him to Jeddah. He joined Al Ittihad in the summer of 2022, spending a season with one of the Saudi Pro League’s most decorated clubs at a time when the league was already drawing considerable global attention. He later joined Damac FC, extending his time in Saudi football before eventually moving to Qatar’s Al-Bidda SC.
His time in the Saudi Pro League gave him direct exposure to the league’s transformation into one of the most competitive domestic competitions in the Arab world — a shift that has only accelerated in the years since.
Honours Across Borders
Across his career, Hamed lifted the African Super Cup, the Saudi Super Cup, and the Saudi Pro League title — a reflection of the consistency and professionalism he brought to every dressing room he joined. He also represented the Egyptian national team at the international level, earning widespread respect across Arab football circles.
His retirement marks the end of a career defined by quiet influence rather than headline moments — the type of player whose value is most apparent to those who shared a pitch with him. Saudi football was part of that story, and his passage through the Pro League remains part of the legacy he leaves behind.
