Egyptian-American Aly Alberto Hassan talks to KingFut’s Mohamed Tosson about his career, playing against Raul Gonzalez and his chances with the Egyptian national team.
Aly Alberto Hassan was born in Miami, Florida to an Egyptian father and a Colombian mother. The 26-year-old plays as a striker and he is known for his physical prowess, heading ability, and is good with both feet.
He started his professional football career back in 2012 with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League (NASL), a club co-owned by Brazil legend Ronaldo, and spent more than three years there.
Aly also spent time on loan with Club Aurora in the Bolivian First Division in 2013.
Hassan last plied his trade with Ottawa Fury FC, who reached the NASL Championship final last season after a grueling campaign, where they lost to the New York Cosmos.
Mohamed: Not many people here in Egypt know you. Could you introduce yourself to Egyptian fans first?
Aly: My name is Aly Alberto Hassan. I’d just like to say hello to everyone out there, my father is Egyptian and my blood runs thick there with some of my family still living in Cairo. Beautiful country and beautiful people.
You started your professional career with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League. Have you ever played in Egypt before that as a youngster?
I never got a chance to play a full season in Egypt; I was born and raised in Miami, Florida in the USA.
I did, however, train one week with Zamalek while visiting with my father. Great brand of football and good experience.
You play your football now for Ottawa Fury in the NASL and you reached the championship final against the New York Cosmos last season, when they still had Raul in their ranks. Can you tell us about that experience?
Great experience! So at the beginning of the season I was still with Fort Lauderdale Strikers, and Raul’s first game in the league was against us. I have a few friends that play there and went out and had dinner with them and Raul, and picked his brain as a striker. I wanted to learn as much as I could from one of the greats. After the first game, he gave me his jersey. He’s not only a great player but great guy as well.
https://www.instagram.com/p/0Tov_ZM1j1/?taken-by=alyberto9
Funnily enough, we ended up meeting again in the final, which was his last game [with the club]. Simply put, the guy is a legend, a true world-class player. There is an aura about him every time he has the ball.
What about next season? Do you have any offers on the table?
My agent is talking with a couple of teams at the moment. Just have to see what’s the best decision for me when the time comes.
Do you follow the Egyptian national team or any Egyptians playing abroad?
I do of course, when the national team plays I’m always rooting for them. Of course, being an Arsenal fan the new move for Elneny got me excited. Very good for Egyptian football in general to have a player like him at such a big club.
We also understand that you played for the U-20 USA national team. Has anyone ever contacted you about representing Egypt before? And how would you feel about that?
Nobody has. I think it’s a bit difficult to keep tabs on all the Egyptian players out there. I would love a chance to represent Egypt, hopefully one day in the future I’ll be given that opportunity.
Finally, would you like to say anything to your fans?
Thank you! And to my fans love you guys I’m a fan of yours as well. Hopefully soon I can play in front of you guys. All the best to all of you.
KingFut would like to thank Aly for his time, and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
VIDEO – Watch Aly Alberto Hassan in action:
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