Mohamed Salah posted his first social media message late Thursday amid intense backlash over his decision to leave Egypt's squad at the Africa Cup of Nations to return to his club side Liverpool to rehabilitate an injury.
The Pharaohs forward picked up a hamstring problem during Egypt’s second group game against Ghana a week ago that ruled him out of Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Cape Verde.
Fans and pundits in Egypt have criticised Salah for not staying with the squad in Ivory Coast, questioning his loyalty to the national team and accusing him of prioritising club over country and abandoning his duties as Egypt’s captain.
“I started yesterday the rehabilitation programme and I will do everything I can to be ready as soon as possible and return to the national team, as was agreed upon from the start. Still love it [Egypt] and its people. Try harder,” wrote Salah on his social media, signing off with a ‘face with tongue’ emoji.
Salah’s post was made a day after Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp came to his defence amid the furore, describing him as “definitely the most loyal Egyptian I’ve met in my life”.
“I cannot be part of that discussion," Klopp told beIN Sports following the Reds’ 1-1 draw with Fulham that sealed their place in the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday.
"Egypt and Liverpool have exactly the same interest, we want Mo Salah, as quick as possible, fit”.
It was an attempt from Klopp to deescalate a storm he himself played a huge part in setting off when he spoke too soon and revealed to the world that Salah was Liverpool-bound to receive medical treatment before an official statement was made by the Egyptian Football Association.
Klopp said that Salah returning to Liverpool for treatment was the best option for all parties, adding that “if Egypt goes through to the final, it was always clear – if he's fit, Mo goes back. One-hunder per cent. Mo wants that, we want that”.
Unfortunately, those comments have come a little too late and Klopp’s decision to discuss Salah’s injury in a press conference two days before Egypt played a must-win final group-stage game against Cape Verde was ill-advised and careless.
The entire situation and how it’s been handled has been shambolic and while Klopp shouldn’t be held responsible for the outrage directed towards Salah from the Egyptian public, surely an experienced manager like him is aware how delicate of a matter this is, and he should have known he was giving ammunition to an emotional group of football fans who have previously questioned Salah’s commitment to the national team.
Klopp also didn’t do himself any favours when he semi-joked ahead of the Afcon that he “would be happy” if Egypt exited the tournament in the group stage so Salah would return to Liverpool sooner rather than later.
That didn’t sit well with many Egyptian fans who felt Klopp was belittling Africa’s premier tournament and its importance to Salah and the nation.
On the other hand, it must be said that the Egyptian public reaction to the events of the past seven days has been harsh and over the top.
Salah now finds himself in a bizarre situation; "The Egyptian King" as he is affectionately known, is considered a national hero, a revered philanthropist back home, yet is also now being dubbed a traitor by his own fans.
People want him to be a football legend and leader, who also speaks up on issues, stands up for women, wins trophies with the national team and breaks records at Liverpool. They laud him for having a different mentality that allowed him to perform internationally like no other Egyptian has ever performed but also criticise him for being different and say he is self-important with a superiority complex. He just can't win.
He has been involved in 86 goals – scored 54 and assisted 32 – in 96 appearances for Egypt but is somehow seen as an underperformer with the national team.
As is the case with any sporting great, too much is being asked of Salah, and us Egyptians tend to forget that he is only human.
We have never had a sports star as big or as professional as Salah on the global stage and it’s clear many people do not understand the considerations he has to take or the decisions he has to make on a daily basis.
We never know the full picture, which is very much the case in this Afcon injury debacle, yet are too quick to judge with minimal information at hand. We are so eager to put him on a pedestal and even more eager to knock him down.
A fan is entitled to react; to celebrate or criticise. Reactions are fuelled by emotions and many among the Egyptian public feel that team captain Salah has abandoned his ship. Those same people will likely sing his praises if he’s back later in the tournament and helps Egypt win their first Afcon since 2010.
The tides change at dizzying speeds and I wouldn’t blame Salah for suffering from whiplash.
Still, as he said in his social media post, his love for Egypt is unwavering. Guess the people will really have to “try harder” if they want his sentiments to change.
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope
Defenders: John Stones, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Gary Cahill, Ashley Young, Danny Rose, Trent Alexander-Arnold
Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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Match info
Manchester United 1
Fred (18')
Wolves 1
Moutinho (53')
The five pillars of Islam
Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained
Defined Benefit Plan (DB)
A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.
Defined Contribution Plan (DC)
A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.
Biog
Age: 50
Known as the UAE’s strongest man
Favourite dish: “Everything and sea food”
Hobbies: Drawing, basketball and poetry
Favourite car: Any classic car
Favourite superhero: The Hulk original
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
WHAT%20MACRO%20FACTORS%20ARE%20IMPACTING%20META%20TECH%20MARKETS%3F
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
How England have scored their set-piece goals in Russia
Three Penalties
v Panama, Group Stage (Harry Kane)
v Panama, Group Stage (Kane)
v Colombia, Last 16 (Kane)
Four Corners
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via John Stones header, from Ashley Young corner)
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via Harry Maguire header, from Kieran Trippier corner)
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, header, from Trippier corner)
v Sweden, Quarter-Final (Maguire, header, from Young corner)
One Free-Kick
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, via Jordan Henderson, Kane header, and Raheem Sterling, from Tripper free-kick)
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) US$100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
8.15pm: Meydan Challenge Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
8.50pm: Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
9.25pm: Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections
6.30pm: Final Song
7.05pm: Pocket Dynamo
7.40pm: Dubai Icon
8.15pm: Dubai Legacy
8.50pm: Drafted
9.25pm: Lucius Tiberius
ETFs explained
Exhchange traded funds are bought and sold like shares, but operate as index-tracking funds, passively following their chosen indices, such as the S&P 500, FTSE 100 and the FTSE All World, plus a vast range of smaller exchanges and commodities, such as gold, silver, copper sugar, coffee and oil.
ETFs have zero upfront fees and annual charges as low as 0.07 per cent a year, which means you get to keep more of your returns, as actively managed funds can charge as much as 1.5 per cent a year.
There are thousands to choose from, with the five biggest providers BlackRock’s iShares range, Vanguard, State Street Global Advisors SPDR ETFs, Deutsche Bank AWM X-trackers and Invesco PowerShares.
GRAN%20TURISMO
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Quick%20facts
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