Hassan Maatouk

2005–2009: First league title and domestic treble On 5 February 2006, during the 2005–06 Lebanese Premier League season, Maatouk scored his first domestic hat-trick against Salam Zgharta in an 8–0 win. He scored a total of eight goals in the league, improving on his previous tally of three. Thanks to four other goals scored throughout the season, Maatouk helped Ahed win their first-ever Lebanese League title.

Maatouk was the top goalscorer of the 2008 Lebanese Elite Cup with three goals, He scored in both of the 2009 AFC Cup group stage games against Busaiteen, but his team failed to qualify to the next round. He won a domestic treble with Ahed during the 2008–09 season, winning the Lebanese FA Cup, the Elite Cup, and the Super Cup. which they lost to Ansar 3–1. Three months later, on 7 April, Maatouk scored a brace in the AFC Cup against Al-Jaish as a substitute from the 46th minute; his side lost 6–3. Following up on his previous season's success, Maatouk scored 12 goals in the league; his second win.

In his final full season (2010–11) with Ahed, Maatouk scored 15 league goals – including a hat-trick against Nejmeh on 30 October 2010, and became the season's top scorer. He also won a domestic quadruple with his team, winning the league, the Elite Cup, Maatouk played his final games for Ahed at the 2011 Elite Cup in September 2011. During the tournament, he scored three goals, including one in the final held on 24 September, which Ahed won 4–2 against Safa. In his seven years with the Lebanese side, Maatouk scored 52 goals in the league, His first league goal, however, came on 3 December of the same year, against Dubai in a 3–1 away win. On 4 January 2012, Maatouk's first UAE Pro League brace came against Sharjah in a 3–1 win, when he scored in the first minutes of both halves.

In 2012 his performances attracted the attention of various European teams, such as French Ligue 1 clubs Olympique Marseille, Ajaccio, He played one game in the promotion/relegation play-offs, in a 2–1 defeat to Sharjah on 14 September. As Emirates Club finished in last place in the play-off group, they were relegated to the UAE First Division.

Maatouk moved to Al-Shaab on 27 September on a one-year loan for an undisclosed fee. Maatouk's third against them in the competition. In his debut season he scored 20 league goals in 23 games, helping his side gain promotion back to the UAE Pro League after a seven-year absence from the top flight. Following his successful season, Maatouk's loan was renewed for one season.

On 22 October 2014, Maatouk assisted Boubacar Sanogo's opening goal in a 2–1 victory over Ittihad Kalba, Fujairah's first win of the 2014–15 season. His first Pro League goal for the team, which also happened to be a brace, came on 4 February 2015 against Emirates in a 2–1 win. His next league goals for Fujairah also came in the form of a double against Ittihald Kalba on 21 March 2015, with his 89th-minute goal being the match decider in a 3–2 away win. Maatouk scored a total of five goals in 26 appearances in the league. He helped Fujairah avoid relegation, and was included in the 13-man shortlist for the 2014–15 UAE Pro League Best Foreign Player award as the only Arab and Asian player. Maatouk's loan was once again renewed a further year in July 2015. He also scored one League Cup goal in two matches. the Lebanese player's desire to terminate his contract came after his team failed to gain promotion to the first division during the 2016–17 season. He scored a total of 46 goals in 91 league appearances, as well as 10 cup goals in 19 appearances for his club, signing for Nejmeh on a reported salary of $365,000 for one season, subject to renewal. Less than a month after signing, he helped the side win the 2017 Lebanese Elite Cup, winning on penalties against his former club Ahed in the final played on 20 August. On his league debut, played on 15 September, Maatouk faced Ahed once again in a 2–2 draw, scoring in the 22nd minute from the penalty spot. His first brace for Nejmeh came two months later, on 5 November, against Tadamon Sour in a 2–0 away win.

Upon his return to the Lebanese Premier League, he scored 13 goals and made 14 assists in 21 league appearances, making him the second-highest scorer and the player with the most assists in the 2017–18 season. He 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.

2018–19: Fifth Elite Cup and fourth Best Player award At the 2018–19 Arab Club Champions Cup play-off rounds Maatouk scored twice in three matches, one goal being a penalty in a 1–0 win against Tunisian team Club Africain on 23 May 2018. This enabled Nejmeh to gain all three points and qualify to the Round of 36 against Al Ahly, where his team lost 4–1 on aggregate and was subsequently knocked out of the competition. On 2 July 2018, amidst speculation of his departure, Nejmeh confirmed Maatouk would remain with the club for the following season. On 25 August 2018, Maatouk won his second consecutive Elite Cup for Nejmeh, his fifth in total,

His first league goal of the 2018–19 season came against Salam Zgharta on 21 October 2018, when he scored the first goal in a 2–0 win. On 12 February, Maatouk was involved with each goal in a 5–1 win against Tripoli, scoring a brace and assisting the other three goals. He was voted the best player of Matchday 14 for his performances. On 6 April 2019, Maatouk's penalty kick allowed his team to beat Ansar 1–0 in the Beirut derby, in a vital fight for second place. Maatouk's first AFC Cup goal for Nejmeh came on 3 May 2019, in a 2–1 away defeat against Hilal Al-Quds. On 14 May he scored his second goal in the 2019 AFC Cup, in a 2–2 draw against Al-Jaish.

Maatouk ended his season with 14 goals in 37 games throughout the campaign. He also made seven assists in the league, making him the player with the second most assists in the season. For his performances, Maatouk won the Lebanese Premier League Best Player award for the fourth time and was included in the Lebanese Premier League Team of the Season.

Ansar

2019–20: Elite Cup finalist and COVID-19 suspension

On 3 July 2019, cross-city rivals Ansar announced the signing of Maatouk on a three-year deal after his previous contract with Nejmeh had expired. His salary of $900,000, spread over the three years, was the highest in Lebanese football history. Maatouk scored his first goal for Ansar on 24 July 2019, in the 2019 Lebanese Elite Cup group stage game against his former club Nejmeh. He scored in the 44th minute, contributing to a 3–1 victory and helping Ansar qualify for the knockout stages. In the semi-finals on 18 August 2019, Maatouk scored his first brace for Ansar in a 5–0 win over Chabab Ghazieh. On 25 August 2019, he scored in the final against Shabab Sahel, becoming the tournament's top scorer with four goals. However, Ansar lost in a penalty shoot-out after drawing 3–3 in extra time, and Maatouk did not secure his first cup with the new club.

Maatouk made his league debut for Ansar on 20 September 2019, in the Beirut derby against Nejmeh, which his side lost 1–0 due to a 90th-minute penalty by Feiz Shamsin. His first league goal came on 29 September 2019, scoring a penalty in a 3–1 home win against Shabab Sahel. In January 2020, the Lebanese Football Association decided to suspend the ongoing 2019–20 season due to financial and political issues in the country, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. On 24 February 2020, Maatouk scored a header against Al-Faisaly in a 2020 AFC Cup group stage game, helping Ansar to a 4–3 home victory.

2020–21: Domestic double and league top scorer

On 10 October 2020, Maatouk scored his first league goal of the 2020–21 season in the second matchday, securing a 2–0 win over Shabab Bourj. In the following game on 18 October, he scored a brace against Chabab Ghazieh, including a direct corner kick goal aided by strong wind, helping Ansar reach the top of the table. One week later, on Matchday 4, Maatouk scored another brace in a 3–1 victory over his former club Ahed. On 6 November, he contributed to four of Ansar's six goals—scoring once and assisting three times—in a 6–1 league win against Safa. On 26 December, Maatouk scored a hat-trick of penalties, leading Ansar to a 3–0 win against Bourj and temporarily reclaiming the league lead. This hat-trick was his first in the league since 2010 when he scored three goals for Ahed against Nejmeh.

After finishing first in the league, ahead of Nejmeh, and winning the FA Cup final on penalty shoot-outs, also against Nejmeh, Maatouk helped Ansar achieve a domestic double. With 14 goals and seven assists in 16 games, Maatouk was the league's top scorer and top assist provider. He also made three assists in four FA Cup games. Ansar's league title was their first since 2007 and their 14th overall.

2021–2023: Injury setbacks and return to form Due to shoulder injuries throughout the 2021–22 season, Maatouk was absent from Ansar's matches for several months. He played 11 league games without scoring, marking the first time in his career he failed to score in a league season. On 14 May 2022, Maatouk renewed his contract with Ansar for another two years.

Maatouk ended his 16-month goalscoring draught in the league on the first matchday of the 2022–23 season, scoring in a 2–2 draw against Shabab Sahel on 3 September 2022. His previous league goal had been on 18 April 2021, also against Sahel. With his goal in a 1–1 league draw against Shabab Sahel on 20 August, Maatouk scored his 100th Lebanese Premier League goal and his 250th goal in senior competitions (for both clubs and the national team). On 17 April 2024, Maatouk's contract was renewed for two seasons. One month later, on 16 May, he scored a penalty in a 2–1 win against Nejmeh, helping Ansar regain the top spot in the league. Despite eventually finishing runners-up in the league to Nejmeh, Ansar won the FA Cup after defeating Ahed 2–1 in the final on 11 July 2024. With eight goals and 11 assists in 25 games, Maatouk was the league's top assist provider. On 25 February 2025, he recorded a hat-trick, including a direct free-kick, in a 4–2 league win against his former club Ahed. On 8 July 2025, Maatouk scored once and provided three assists in a 6–1 win over rivals Nejmeh, marking the largest margin of victory in Beirut derby history; the match was held at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium for the first time in over six years. He also scored in a 2–0 win against Tadamon Sour in the penultimate round, a result that mathematically secured Ansar's 15th league title. Maatouk finished the season as the league's top scorer with 17 goals, playing a key role in Ansar's championship campaign.

Jwaya

2025–present: Lebanese Premier League all-time top scorer With one year remaining on his contract with Ansar, Maatouk signed a two-year deal with newly-promoted Lebanese Premier League side Jwaya on 26 July 2025. He scored twice on his debut, a 3–0 league win over Bourj on 19 September, leading Jwaya to their first-ever win in the top flight. With his goal against Safa on 28 June 2026, his eighth of the season, Maatouk became the Lebanese Premier League all-time top scorer with 130 goals, surpassing Vardan Ghazaryan's previous record of 129.

International career

2003–2011: Youth and early career Having played for Lebanon's under-17 and under-19 teams, Maatouk was called up for the under-23 team at the 2008 Summer Olympics qualifiers in 2007. He scored one goal in five appearances in the second round, helping Lebanon finish second in their group and qualify to the third round. In the final qualification round, Maatouk scored one goal in six matches, finishing in last place in the group.

His senior career had already begun on 26 January 2006, aged 19, with a friendly match against Saudi Arabia, won by Lebanon 2–1. Between 2009 and 2010, Maatouk participated in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers; he played five of Lebanon's six games. The team finished in last place. Maatouk scored his first international brace against Kuwait on 11 October 2011, in a 2–2 draw. In an interview in 2020, Maatouk described his second goal of the match as the most beautiful goal he had scored in his career. Maatouk played all eight games between 2012 and 2013, scoring a goal against South Korea in a 1–1 draw. In the last minute of the first half, trailing by one goal, he set up Mohamad Ghaddar who scored the equalizer. In the 53rd minute, Maatouk scored a low-driven shot on a volley from a free kick taken by Abbas Ahmed Atwi to put his team in the lead. Maatouk scored twice in the second round, against Myanmar and Laos, However, their second-place finish enabled them to progress to the final round of qualification for the 2019 Asian Cup. Maatouk was fundamental to his team's success during the 2019 Asian Cup qualifications, played between 2017 and 2018: he scored five goals in six matches in the third round,

In December 2018, Maatouk was called up for the 2019 Asian Cup as Lebanon's captain. In the first group stage match, on 9 January 2019 against Qatar, he received a yellow card for an alleged "handball", protecting his face with his arm; the opposing team scored from the subsequent free kick. On 17 January, in the third match, Maatouk converted a penalty kick against North Korea, giving Lebanon a 3–1 lead, with the match eventually ending 4–1. becoming the first player from his country to join the FIFA Century Club. He surpassed Vardan Ghazaryan's record of 21 goals for Lebanon on 22 June 2023 by scoring his 22nd international goal against Bangladesh in the 2023 SAFF Championship, becoming Lebanon's top scorer since 1971. This goal was also his first international goal in almost four years.

In December 2023, Maatouk was included in the Lebanese squad for the 2023 Asian Cup as team captain. Lebanon finished last in their group, securing only a draw against China and suffering defeats to Qatar and Tajikistan. Maatouk started all three group stage games. Maatouk retired from the national team as Lebanon's top scorer and most-capped player, with 123 caps and 26 goals.

Style of play Dubbed the "Lebanese Messi" by some, Maatouk is capable of playing in various positions in attack. Initially starting as a centre-forward, he matured into a winger later in his career. Not only is Maatouk a goal poacher, but he is also able to make the most of his natural abilities, mainly his pace and dribbling. Maatouk is also a free kick specialist. Beyond his technical prowess, Maatouk's disciplined approach is shown by his fair play record during his time in the United Arab Emirates; over 168 matches, he received only five yellow cards—mostly for goal celebrations, not fouls—and no red cards. With Nejmeh, he only received one yellow card in 40 league games.

Personal life Maatouk and his wife, Sahar, have four children: a son, a daughter, and twin boys. Maatouk credits his father, Ali, According to Maatouk, Lebanon's best players of all time are Youssef Mohamad and Roda Antar. Maatouk, representing Lebanon, starred in the first season alongside Thiago Silva (Brazil), Luka Modrić (Croatia), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Andre Blake (Jamaica), and Brian Kaltak (Vanuatu).

Career statistics Club +Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

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2004–05 UAE Pro League

Emirates (loan) 2011–12 Lebanese Premier League

2018–19 Lebanese Premier League Best Player: 2009–10, Lebanese Premier League Player of the Week: 2007–08, 2009–10 Lebanese Premier League Team of the Season: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2020–21, 2024–25 Lebanese FA Cup top goalscorer: 2021–22 Lebanese Elite Cup top goalscorer: 2008, Lebanese Premier League all-time top goalscorer: 130 goals (as of 29 June 2026) Fujairah FC all-time top goalscorer: 56 goals (as of 20 May 2019)