He also played for Egypt national football team and is the Africa Cup of Nations all-time top Egyptian scorer, and the all-time top scorer of the Egyptian Premier League.

El-Shazly is widely regarded as one of the best forwards in the history of African football.

He played with his country in the 1965 Arab Games, and Egypt won the gold medal, he was the tournament top scorer with 9 goals.

El-Shazly also played in the 1970 African Cup of Nations and scored 5 goals and his country finished third in the tournament.

He played in the 1974 African Cup of Nations and scored his 12th goal in the Africa Cup of Nations record, becoming Egypt's all time top scorer in the tournament.