Egypt's talisman Mohamed Salah seeks breakthrough in what could be his final World Cup appearance

Egypt's talisman Mohamed Salah seeks breakthrough in what could be his final World Cup appearance
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As powerhouses of African football with a record seven continental titles, Egypt have found it difficult to make an impact on the global stage in three previous attempts.

Salah ought to have arrived at the 2018 World Cup in the best form of his life. Fresh from scoring 44 goals in his debut season at Liverpool, which propelled him from promising talent into a worldwide phenomenon, Salah suffered a serious shoulder injury in the Champions League final after an infamous challenge by Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

Despite being patched up, Salah made it to Russia and scored twice in his two appearances, but he could not prevent Egypt's group-stage exit following defeats to the hosts, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

Now, aged 33, he enters a World Cup at the opposite end of his Liverpool career. Salah broke down in tears on several occasions as his nine-year stint at Anfield concluded on Sunday, having amassed 257 goals, two Premier League titles and Champions League glory. "We put this club back where it belongs," he said in his farewell message on Merseyside. His Premier League exploits meant that his influence extended far beyond the pitch. Salah was named in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in 2019, where he was described as an "iconic figure for Egyptians, Scousers and Muslims the world over". He has used that profile to advocate for greater gender equality in the Arab world and to appeal for humanitarian aid to be permitted into Gaza following Israeli air strikes in October 2023.

'Best in the world'

Now, his home nation expects Salah to produce a moment on the international stage that is missing from his glittering career. Twice he has been on the losing side in the Africa Cup of Nations finals, in 2017 and 2021. "For me, Salah is without doubt the best player in the world," Egypt forward Mahmoud Hassan, better known as Trezeguet, told AFP. "His presence is extremely important for us, not only as a star but also as a leader who gives us confidence and strength."

Together, Salah and former Aston Villa forward Trezeguet netted 14 of Egypt's 20 goals in qualifying. Yet, Salah was a diminished force in the Premier League this season, which hastened his departure from Liverpool. A year ago, he was given a new two-year contract following one of the greatest individual seasons of all time, which delivered the Premier League title. Tensions between Liverpool's "Egyptian King" and manager Arne Slot simmered for months after Salah was left out of the starting line-up for three consecutive matches in December. Injuries to other players meant he regained his place after returning from AFCON, but Salah's tally of 12 goals in 41 appearances was by some distance the lowest of his Liverpool career.

However, his and Egypt's form at international level provides cause for optimism as they head into a manageable draw against Belgium, New Zealand and Iran in Group G. Salah scored in his first four appearances at AFCON before suffering more heartbreak against his former club teammate Sadio Mane's Senegal, this time in the semi-finals. He then missed the March international window, during which Hossam Hassan's side thrashed Saudi Arabia 4-0 and held Spain to a 0-0 draw. "I believe he will achieve something with the Pharaohs at the 2026 World Cup," former Egypt captain Ahmed Fathi told AFP. "I played with him from the early days of his international career. We were together at the London 2012 Olympics and the 2018 World Cup. He always made the difference, and I hope he will do it again in the United States."