Stephan El Shaarawy
An Italian forward whose explosive speed and technical flair earned him the nickname 'The Pharaoh' and a lasting place at AS Roma.
Born 1992 (age 34)·Italian footballer·Birthday: October 27·Millennials
Biography
Stephan El Shaarawy burst onto Serie A as a teenager with a mop of curls and a bag of dazzling tricks. At AC Milan, his early years were electric; he played with a fearless, joyful abandon that made him an instant fan favorite and earned him the nickname 'Il Faraone' (The Pharaoh). A series of injuries tempered that initial meteoric rise, leading to loan spells abroad, including a stint in China. His career found its second, more mature act upon his return to Italy with AS Roma. There, El Shaarawy transformed from a pure winger into a versatile, intelligent attacking weapon, valued for his work rate, experience, and moments of still-brilliant technique. His journey from teenage sensation to seasoned Roman stalwart is a story of adaptation and resilience at the highest level of football.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Stephan was born in 1992, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Stephan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1992
#1 Movie
Aladdin
Best Picture
Unforgiven
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Stephan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1992Born
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1997Started school
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2005Became a teenager
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Could drive
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2010Could vote
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Turned 21
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2022Turned 30
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 34 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Broke through as a key player for AC Milan, scoring 16 Serie A goals in the 2012-13 season.
- Won the Italian Supercup with AC Milan in 2011 and with AS Roma in 2022.
- Earned over 20 caps for the Italian national team, representing them at UEFA Euro 2016.
- Played a crucial role in AS Roma's journey to the UEFA Europa League final in 2023.
Did You Know?
His father is Egyptian, which is the origin of his nickname 'Il Faraone' (The Pharaoh).
He made his Serie A debut for Genoa at the age of 16.
He has a distinctive tattoo of a dreamcatcher on his left arm.
“I play for the joy of it, that's when I'm at my best.”
