UAE’s celebrated footballer Jasim Mohammed Al Haddad passes away

Sharjah: Jasim Mohammed Abdullah Yousuf Al Haddad, a celebrated former player for Sharjah Club and the UAE national football team, died on Sunday. He was 65.

Al Haddad, remembered as one of the most gifted players of the UAE’s “golden generation,” was a defining figure in Sharjah’s rise to prominence in the late 1970s.

"The UAE Football Association extend its deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the UAE football family and the family of former national team and Sharjah Club player Jasim Mohammed Al Haddad, who passed away yesterday," an UAE FA statement read.

Grace and agility on the field

Alongside his brother Yusuf, he helped the club secure their first President’s Cup titles in the 1978—79 and 1979—80 seasons, laying the foundation for the team’s nickname, “Al Malik”, the King.

Known for his grace and agility on the field, Al Haddad was dubbed “the ballet footballer” and “Al Ghazal” (the gazelle).

His career began in 1971 with Al Orooba Club, where his precocious talent quickly earned notice.

After the club merged with Al Khaleej to form Sharjah, his star rose further, and he was called up to the UAE national team. At just 16, he became one of the youngest players to wear the national colours.

Injuries cut short glorious career

He went on to represent the UAE in the third, fourth, and fifth Gulf Cups, the 1975 Palestine Cup, the 1979 Asian qualifiers, and the 1981 Merdeka Tournament.

But frequent injuries cut short a career that many believed could have reached even greater heights; he retired in 1984.

Football ran in the Al Haddad family. His brothers Yusuf, Abdulrahman, Ismail, and Khalifa also played at the top level, with several representing the UAE national team.