Mohamed Salah, who turned 32 this summer, probably had some pragmatism over the possibility of representing Egypt in the Olympics.
Mohamed Salah, who just turned 32, probably had some pragmatism over the possibility of playing for Egypt at the Olympics.
As one of the three Pharaohs players over 23, the Liverpool star was desired by his country to compete at the Paris Games. Last month, men’s team coach Rugero Micali expressed optimism that Salah would join the team.
“We have 10 names under consideration, and we will choose three players from them,” Micali stated. “The ultimate decision must take into consideration our weaknesses. We hope that the players who are chosen will receive approval from their clubs after extensive negotiations with overseas clubs to allow their players to compete with us at the Olympics.
“We are currently expecting word from the Egyptian Football Association on our communication with Salah and his team, Liverpool. He is really welcome to join us. I hope Salah can compete for us at the Olympics.
“As I said earlier, it is always good for a player to be involved, we do not interfere in players’ clubs about whether or not they are in the squad, our job is to determine who can help us, and obviously if many of them do not play, they may arrive at matches without fitness, and this is not good.”
However, the Egypt FA declined to speak with Liverpool directly about the problems, possibly realizing there was little hope of rescuing their captain from the grasp of a new era making its first hesitant moves under head coach Arne Slot.
An early victory for Slot, who will now have one of his biggest talents with him in the United States and for the duration of the summer schedule, is Salah’s choice to stay with his team for the whole preseason.
Given how profitable these summer tours can be, Salah’s addition is also a huge boost for a club that is also looking to lean as much as possible into star power domestically. This is especially true at a time when a number of other high-profile squad members are enjoying their post-international breaks.
Although the unwavering competitor in him could have enjoyed the chance to increase his personal haul, Salah was more than happy to forsake the opportunity to compete for a gold medal out in France. It is claimed that he was consulted throughout the decision-making process.
Rather than rushing out for a tournament that starts later this month and ends just one week before the new Premier League season begins with a trip to Ipswich Town on August 17, he chose to take a more measured, long-term approach to the situation.
The Egypt star will now go to the AXA Training Centre this weekend to start the frequently demanding training necessary to get ready for the season as a result of this decision. In the upcoming days and weeks, he will be discussing pitches with some of his younger, less seasoned colleagues, so his commitment and professionalism will benefit them as well.
However, staying put is based on more considerations than just praising Salah. Few people will need to be reminded of the terrible injury sequence that the Reds’ leading scorer went through when he traveled to the Ivory Coast for the January Africa Cup of Nations.
During Egypt’s 2-2 tie with Ghana in mid-January, Salah sustained an injury that was subsequently determined to be a hamstring strain; then assistant coach Pep Lijnders called it “a proper tear”.
The No. 11 was then sent back to Merseyside to finish his recovery under the careful supervision of club personnel, with the unsettling understanding that he would be returned to the competition should Egypt still be there once healthy.
Ultimately, it never happened that way, but the issue had a ripple effect on the Reds star, who never truly looked as good as he had before that infrequent injury.
Before that issue, Salah made 27 of his 44 games and scored 18 of his 25 goals before departing for Africa. As a result, he missed more than two months of Liverpool games without starting.
For a player who is currently in the last 12 months of his own contract on Merseyside, it is obvious that limiting the potential for additional upheaval is crucial. If he experiences a similar setback again, he runs the risk of getting off to a bad start in his eighth season with the Reds.
Additionally, after a £150 million offer from Saudi Arabia last summer, it might put the player in a situation where his contract is running out and his age and recent fitness history become more important considerations when deciding whether to extend the most lucrative terms he has ever signed at Liverpool.
The opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games is a unique opportunity for every athlete and will always be considered a privilege, but the World Cup and the AFCON are what really motivate the man known as the “Egyptian King” on the world scene.
As a result, the choice was made with the player’s and the club’s best interests in mind. As a result, expect Salah to explode off the starting blocks.
