Ismail Ahmed's career has been far more than a long journey through basketball courts and championships. Over more than three decades, the Egyptian star has built an extraordinary story of longevity, refusing to allow age to prevent him from continuing to compete at a high level.

At 49, the player affectionately known as "Somaa" added a remarkable global achievement to his career by entering Guinness World Records as the oldest basketball player to record a triple-double in an official game, achieving the feat at the age of 49 years and 243 days.

A Record After Three Decades on the Court

The record-breaking performance came on May 24 during Al Riyadi's Lebanese Basketball League game against Homenetmen Beirut, when Ahmed recorded 21 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists despite his side's 126-125 overtime defeat.

A triple-double is one of basketball's most notable individual statistical achievements, recorded when a player reaches double figures in three different statistical categories during the same game.

Recognition of Ahmed's record coincided with another memorable night in his remarkable career, as the Egyptian received his Guinness World Records certificate during halftime of the decisive Lebanese Basketball League final.

That same night, Al Riyadi were crowned champions after defeating Sagesse 100-79 in the seventh and final game of the series, allowing Ahmed to celebrate another team trophy alongside international recognition of his individual achievement.

A Career Across Egypt and Lebanon

Born in Alexandria on September 23, 1976, Ahmed began his basketball career in Egypt before establishing himself as one of the most recognisable figures in Lebanese basketball, becoming particularly associated with Al Riyadi Beirut over the course of his long career. FIBA's records show Ahmed continuing to represent Al Riyadi in competition in 2026, despite approaching his 50th birthday. ([FIBA Basketball][1])

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His remarkable career has included spells with clubs in both Egypt and Lebanon, including Al Ittihad Alexandria, Al Riyadi and Homenetmen, with his ability to continue playing for more than three decades becoming an achievement in itself.

Ahmed has enjoyed considerable domestic and continental success during that career, becoming closely associated with some of Al Riyadi's most successful periods while also enjoying success with Al Ittihad in his native Egypt.

Representing Egypt

At international level, Ahmed represented Egypt, rather than Lebanon.

FIBA's records show him playing for the senior Egyptian national team at the 2001 African Championship and the 2007 All-Africa Games. At the latter tournament, he averaged an impressive 18.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game.

Ahmed also represented Egypt at youth level, featuring at the 1996 African U22 Championship and the 1997 FIBA U22 World Championship. He averaged 18.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game at the latter tournament.

After more than three decades in the game, "Somaa's" continued presence on the court is no longer simply an extraordinary example of sporting longevity. At an age when most basketball players have been retired for years, Ahmed remains an active player for Al Riyadi, and has now turned that remarkable longevity into a world record that puts the Egyptian's name in the Guinness World Records.