Ahmed Fathy followed his father into Qatari football, but in a different way and under a different spotlight. The question of influence in the game often leads back to Fathy Abdoun, his father, who has spent close to three decades shaping youth football from the sidelines. Yet within the same family, there has also been a presence on the pitch — one that has quietly carried the name forward in its own right.

Now 33, Ahmed Fathy has spent his entire club career at Al-Arabi, unlike his father’s long association with rivals Al-Sadd. It was in Al-Arabi’s midfield that he established himself as a tireless, hard-working presence – a player whose value was defined less by flair and more by control, discipline, and relentless energy in the centre of the pitch.

Félix Sánchez handed him a senior international debut in 2017, but opportunities at major tournaments initially came in limited bursts. This included brief minutes during the 2019 Asian Cup, before a more prominent role arrived when he captained Qatar’s second-string side at the 2023 Gold Cup.

The 2023 Asian Cup title defence then marked a turning point, with Fathy starting all but one match and delivering assured performances, particularly in the demanding battles against Uzbekistan and Iran.