Background and career
Mohamed Naser Elsayed Elneny (Arabic: محمد ناصر السيد الننى; born 11 July 1992) is an Egyptian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Super League Greece club Levadiakos and the Egypt national team. Known for his possession ability, passing, and mobility, he is regarded as one of the best Egyptian players of all time.
Elneny began his senior career in the Egyptian Premier League, before moving to Swiss club Basel in January 2013. He won eight honours at Basel, including the Swiss Super League in each of his four seasons. In January 2016, he transferred to Arsenal, where he won the FA Cup the next year. He joined Beşiktaş on loan in 2019, and upon returning to Arsenal the following year, won the FA Community Shield. Elneny departed Arsenal in 2024 as their then-longest-serving player. He then joined UAE Pro League club Al Jazira, where he won the UAE League Cup in 2025.
Elneny competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics for the Egyptian under-23 team. He has earned over 100 caps for the senior team since 2011, representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023, as well as the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He scored in the 2017 final defeat.
