Jasim Mohammed Abdullah Yousuf Al Haddad, a cherished former player of the UAE national football team and Sharjah Club, passed away on Sunday, August 17.
Known for his exceptional agility and finesse, Al Haddad was fondly dubbed “the ballet footballer.” He made history by being the first to clinch the State Cup with Sharjah Club and was notably the youngest to join the UAE national team at just 16.
He proudly represented the UAE in several prestigious tournaments, including the third, fourth, and fifth Gulf Cups, the 1975 Palestine Cup, the 1979 Asian qualifiers, and the 1981 Merdeka Tournament.
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In a 2022 interview with Sharjah News, Al Haddad reminisced about his days at Sharjah Club, sharing, “Since the club’s inception in 1977, we have been present. Our first match on a grass pitch in the country happened here.” He fondly remembered many matches and cherished memories, but added, “Now, after numerous knee surgeries, my mobility is limited. I can walk, but running is no longer possible.”
Al Haddad’s passion for football was evident early on, as he played for school and neighborhood teams, organizing matches despite being one of the youngest. He relocated from Kuwait to the UAE at 14, joining Al Orooba Club, where he played until retiring.
Coming from a football-centric family, with relatives Yusuf, Abdulrahman, and Ismail also playing for Sharjah Club, injuries led to Al Haddad’s retirement in 1985. Despite this, he was affectionately known as “Al Ghazal Al Asmar” (the brown gazelle), celebrated for his agility and skill, and is remembered in a photo with the late Sheikh Zayed after the 1997 cup victory.
Photo: Supplied
