Mahmoud Gad might be responsible for the craziest save in football history.The Egyptian goalkeeper was playing for ENPPI vs Pyramids in 2019 when he produced a truly ludicrous save that soon went viral across the internet.Gadâs save brought back memories of Gregory Coupetâs famous double stop while playing for Lyon against Barcelona in the Champions League back in 2001.Coupetâs unorthodox double stop saw the French âkeeper head the ball onto his own crossbar before getting down low to thwart Rivaldoâs headed effort.It was an extraordinary piece of goalkeeping thatâs still fondly remembered over 20 years later.
Is Mahmoud Gadâs save the craziest in football history?
Gadâs miraculous save, on the other hand, isnât as widely remembered as Coupetâs exploits.
Perhaps thatâs because it didnât happen in the Champions League, unlike Coupetâs double stop, but it certainly should never be forgotten.
So, what exactly happened?
Gad, only 22 at the time, rushed out of his penalty area, Manuel Neuer-style, to head the ball clear.
The ball fell marginally short of the halfway line, where an opponent responded with a sweet first-time volley.
Acutely aware that he was in trouble, Gad rushed back to his goal while simultaneously looking up over his shoulder at the ball.
It looked a certain goal but Gad somehow recovered in time to push the ball over his crossbar with a dive that Superman himself would have been proud of.
Video: Is this the craziest save in football history?
Watch Mahmoud Gadâs remarkable save here:
It may not have been the greatest piece of goalkeeping but itâs certainly one of the most extraordinary saves ever.
Joe Hart's incredible save v Man Utd in 2008 was similar
A similar save from the Premier League era is this remarkable bit of goalkeeping from Joe Hart during a clash between Manchester City and Manchester United in 2008.
Hart had to sprint faster than heâd ever done before in his career to get back and save Wayne Rooneyâs long-range strike after going up for a late corner.
How the former England international produced that particular stop weâll never know.
While we all love to see great goals, sometimes itâs equally joyous to witness a genuinely extraordinary save from a âkeeper.
Mahmoud Gad, we salute you!