Egyptian superstar footballer Mo Salah’s World Cup dreams could be revived according to the national team’s doctor, who said he was optimistic the star could still play after he was hurt during the Champions League final on Saturday.
“Through follow ups on the phone with the national team’s delegation in Italy… the officials at Liverpool said an X-ray on Salah’s shoulder” showed the injury to be in the ligaments, the Egyptian Football Association said on Twitter on Saturday.
Salah suffered a dislocated shoulder when he was brought crashing to the floor by Real Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos. The Egyptian star continued to play for four minutes, but was eventually forced to quit the match in tears. Liverpool went on to lose 3-1 in the match.
Egyptian football journalist Marwan Ahmed told the BBC: “Honestly, I think it’s a nightmare. There are no words to describe it. There was a minute of silence after we’d seen Salah go down and then when he went down the second time, we knew it wasn’t good and that he would leave the pitch.
“No Egyptian wanted to see that happen, we’ve never had an Egyptian in the Champions League final. It’s really sad – I can’t find the exact words to describe it. Some people were in tears.”
However the national team’s doctor, Mohamed Abou Al-Ela “expressed his optimism that Salah would make it for the World Cup matches according to this diagnosis,” the association said.
The Egyptian FA’s optimism contrasts with statements by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp who said immediately after the game on Saturday Salah’s injury was “serious.”
The Egyptian Minister Youth and Sports Khaled Abd Elaziz also expressed optimism.
“Mohamed Salah, God willing, will be on the national team’s final list for the World Cup, which is to be announced on June 4,” Abd Elaziz said on Facebook.
Sadness and anger filled cafes where Salah’s fans gathered to follow the Champions League final, as they watched as the star was forced to leave the match barely half an hour into the game.
Salah had cemented his status as a national hero by leading Egypt to their first World Cup qualification in 28 years.
The team’s coach, Argentinean Hector Cuper, said a month before the World Cup kick off that The Pharaohs were banking on Salah in Russia.
Egypt’s first World Cup finals match is against Uruguay on June 15, and they play Saudi Arabia in Volgograd on June 25. (Arab News)
