Mohamed Salah’s World Cup in doubt after sustaining injury in Champions League final
Egypt’s football star Mohamed Salah is a major doubt for the FIFA World Cup after he was forced out of the Champions League final game against real Madrid on Saturday with a shoulder injury.
The 25-year-old has been the stand-out player for Liverpool this season after joining in the summer from Italian side AS Roma. He finished the season with 44 goals, also setting a new scoring record in the English premier League.
With a lot of expectations on his shoulders in Saturday’s game, Salah was forced off after landing awkwardly under a challenge from Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.
The Egyptian left the pitch in tears, a scene that now worries not only his countrymen but the world at large.
“It’s a really serious injury, which is even worse. And the shock of the boys was obvious,” Sky Sports quote Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp to have said after the game.
“Of course it was a big moment in the game. I know if you say something like that after a game and you lost, it sounds like you are a bit of a bad loser.
“But, for me, it was a harsh challenge – the arm was there. It was like wrestling a bit. And then Mo was a little bit unlucky falling on his shoulder.
“I think he is in the hospital for an X-ray. It’s either the collarbone or the shoulder itself. But it’s really not good.”
Liverpool went on to lose the game 3-1 as the Spanish side clinched their 13 Champions League title, a third in a row.
Egypt is one of five African teams that are scheduled to take part in the World Cup that begins on June 14.
The Pharaohs are pooled alongside Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group A. They play their first game against the South Americans on 15 June.
