Egyptian striker, 75, hopes to become world's oldest soccer pro

FILE PHOTO: Ezzeldin Bahader, a 75-year-old Egyptian football player, kicks the ball during his taining in Cairo, Egypt February 7, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Fahmy

The thought of playing soccer as a professional had remained a distant dream for Ezzeldin Bahader for decades - until, at the age of 75, he registered with the Egyptian Football Association as its oldest player yet.

Bahader, father of four and grandfather of six, started playing football in the streets of Cairo at the age of six.

As an adult, he was consumed by his work as civil engineering consultant and later land cultivation expert, to say nothing of many years of smoking. Though he carried on playing as an amateur, he abandoned his dream of becoming a professional striker.

FILE PHOTO: Ezzeldin Bahader, a 75-year-old Egyptian football player, trains at a gym in Cairo, Egypt January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

For 15 years, he lived in Kuwait, and he now lives in Rehab city, a gated community in the New Cairo suburb.

But nearly seven decades after kicking his first football, Bahader revived his dream and began applying to join clubs. Finally he was accepted into October 6, a club that plays in Egypt's third division.

He is now training with the club, as well as at home with a personal trainer, to regain his fitness.

FILE PHOTO: Ezzeldin Bahader, a 75-year-old Egyptian football player, looks on during his training at a gym in Cairo, Egypt January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

In order to be recognised as the world's oldest professional player, Bahader needs to play two 90-minute matches, a task he is training for, and hopes to accomplish in March.

A representative of Guinness World Records will attend the second match to assess his claim, Bahader said.

Although Bahader's age seemed a challenge at first, his personal trainer Mahmoud Refaat said his motivation had proved stronger.

FILE PHOTO: Ezzeldin Bahader, a 75-year-old Egyptian football player gestures during his training at a gym in Cairo, Egypt January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

The Guinness World Record for the oldest professional footballer is currently held by the Israeli Isaak Hayik, who played in goal last April for Israel's Ironi Or Yehuda, aged 73.

(This story refiles to change transliteration of Bahader's given name to Ezzeldin, with no final 'e')

FILE PHOTO: Ezzeldin Bahader, a 75-year-old Egyptian football player, trains at a gym in Cairo, Egypt January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

(Reporting by Mohamed Zaki and Nadeen Ebrahim; Writing by Mahmoud Mourad; Editing by Ulf Laessing and Kevin Liffey)

FILE PHOTO: Ezzeldin Bahader, a 75-year-old Egyptian football player, trains at a gym in Cairo, Egypt January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

FILE PHOTO: Ezzeldin Bahader, a 75-year-old Egyptian football player, talks during an interview with Reuters TV after his training in Cairo, Egypt February 7, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Fahmy

FILE PHOTO: Ezzeldin Bahader, a 75-year-old Egyptian football player, trains at a gym in Cairo, Egypt January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

FILE PHOTO: Ezzeldin Bahader, a 75-year-old Egyptian football player, trains at a gym in Cairo, Egypt January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

FILE PHOTO: Ezzeldin Bahader, a 75-year-old Egyptian football player, trains at a gym in Cairo, Egypt January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

FILE PHOTO: Ezzeldin Bahader, a 75-year-old Egyptian football player, trains at a gym in Cairo, Egypt January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

FILE PHOTO: Ezzeldin Bahader, a 75-year-old Egyptian football player, talks with players during his training in Cairo, Egypt February 7, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Fahmy