Hassan Ali Maatouk is a Lebanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Lebanese Premier League club Ansar and captains the Lebanon national team.
40 Facts About Hassan Maatouk
2.
Hassan Maatouk began his senior career at age 17 in 2005 at Ahed in Lebanon.
3.
Hassan Maatouk won a total of 11 trophies with his team, including three Lebanese Premier League titles and three Lebanese FA Cups in his seven-year stay.
4.
Hassan Maatouk moved to the United Arab Emirates in 2011 on a one-year loan to Ajman; after a short spell at Emirates, he signed for Al-Shaab.
5.
In 2017, Hassan Maatouk returned to his home country signing with Nejmeh: he won two Lebanese Elite Cups, and was named Best Player of the league in both seasons at the club.
6.
In 2006, Hassan Maatouk debuted with the national team, in a match against Saudi Arabia; his first goal came in 2011 against Bangladesh.
7.
Hassan Maatouk became the first player to reach 100 international caps for his nation in 2022.
8.
Hassan Maatouk was included in the Team of the Year in those four years.
9.
Hassan Maatouk won the Lebanese Premier League Golden Boot twice, in 2011 and 2021.
10.
Hassan Maatouk first started playing football in Germany, playing for Rot-Weiss Essen's youth team.
11.
Hassan Maatouk cited his experience in Europe as essential to his development.
12.
Hassan Maatouk returned to Lebanon in 1998, and later signed with Ahed's youth team.
13.
Hassan Maatouk scored a total of eight goals in the league, improving on his previous tally.
14.
Hassan Maatouk scored only three league goals and two cup goals.
15.
Hassan Maatouk was the top scorer of the 2008 Lebanese Elite Cup with three goals, on a par with his teammate Salih Sadir.
16.
Hassan Maatouk scored in both of the 2009 AFC Cup group stage games against Busaiteen, but his team failed to qualify to the next round.
17.
Hassan Maatouk was awarded the Lebanese Premier League Best Player award.
18.
Hassan Maatouk won a domestic quadruple with his team, winning the league, the FA Cup, the Elite Cup, and the Super Cup.
19.
In 2013 Hassan Maatouk moved on a free transfer to UAE First Division side Fujairah.
20.
Hassan Maatouk scored a total of five goals in 26 appearances in the league.
21.
Hassan Maatouk scored one League Cup goal in two matches.
22.
Hassan Maatouk said that the appointment of Diego Maradona as coach was not tempting enough for him to remain, and he would rather depart from the Division One side.
23.
Hassan Maatouk scored a total of 46 goals in 91 league appearances, as well as 10 cup goals in 19 appearances for his club, leaving as Fujairah's all-time top goalscorer with 56 total goals.
24.
Hassan Maatouk decided to return to Lebanon in 2017, signing for Nejmeh.
25.
Hassan Maatouk won the Lebanese Premier League Best Player award for the third time, and was included in the Lebanese Premier League Team of the Season for his performances.
26.
Hassan Maatouk ended his season with 14 goals in 37 games throughout the campaign.
27.
Hassan Maatouk made seven assists in the league, making him the player with the second most assists in the season.
28.
Hassan Maatouk's hat-trick was his first in the league since 2010, when he scored three goals for Ahed against Nejmeh.
29.
Hassan Maatouk made three assists in four games in the FA Cup.
30.
Hassan Maatouk had scored his previous league goal on 18 April 2021, against Sahel.
31.
Hassan Maatouk was called up for the Lebanon national under-23 team at the 2008 Olympics qualifiers in 2007.
32.
Hassan Maatouk scored one goal in five appearances in the second round, helping Lebanon finish second in their group and qualify to the third round.
33.
Between 2009 and 2010, Hassan Maatouk participated in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers; he played five of Lebanon's six games.
34.
Hassan Maatouk participated in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers between 2013 and 2014, playing all six group stage games.
35.
Hassan Maatouk scored after dribbling past the goalkeeper, but the goal was incorrectly ruled offside.
36.
Hassan Maatouk was fundamental to his team's success during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifications, played between 2017 and 2018: he scored five goals in six matches in the third round, thus qualifying Lebanon to their first ever AFC Asian Cup through qualification.
37.
Hassan Maatouk is known for his great vision and ability on the ball to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
38.
Hassan Maatouk has described his father, Ali, as an inspiration who encouraged him to study and practice football with the same fervor.
39.
Hassan Maatouk considers Brazilian player Ronaldo the best of all time, and Barcelona is his favourite club.
40.
Hassan Maatouk, representing Lebanon, starred in the first season alongside Thiago Silva, Luka Modric, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Andre Blake and Brian Kaltak.