At the beginning of 2021, Mohamed Salah became the official captain of Egypt’s national football team. His leadership story began two years earlier when he first donned the captain’s armband. As it turned out, Salah has since established himself as one of the very best players in the world. He’s become a lot more, a supernova among the team. His influence is so pronounced that he largely gets what he wants and speaks when he likes, with everyone accepting his directives.
Days before the start of Egypt’s first match in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Salah appeared alongside head coach Hossam Hassan. They spoke to the media at an emotional press conference. The mood was electric—literally and figuratively—as they plugged in to charge up to take on reporters about their innovative campaign. This moment underscored Salah’s dual role as both captain and a pivotal figure in Egypt’s football narrative.
Salah’s journey is not without its complexities. Despite being a national icon, he wrestles with a sense of otherness, stemming from his global fame and success with clubs like Liverpool. This disconnection makes him a challenging player to root for, both to some fans and even within their own locker room. Time when the Liverpool supporters did not make him feel like part of the family. His statement on being “thrown under the bus” gives a glimpse of the stormy relationships with the club’s chairmen.
Things came to a head when Salah said he couldn’t see himself having a future with Liverpool’s new head coach, Arne Slot. This situation complicated matters for Egypt’s national team, as it appeared that Liverpool was calling the shots regarding Salah’s involvement and morale. First, and most importantly, he has to take these issues seriously. Simultaneously, he’ll have to dance around Hassan, who’s been pursuing a far more diplomatic route with the transcendent player.
Hassan noted how important Salah’s performance will be to AFCON’s success. He declared that this captain must win the tournament. This surprising statement sums up the unreasonably lofty expectations Salah faces now, especially as he creeps towards the proverbial cliff—he’ll be 34 next summer. This particular age is especially meaningful. It commemorates when Lionel Messi reached his career milestone of winning his first international tournament, the Copa America.
Salah’s legacy looms large and makes it tempting to compare him with those who came before. These decision-makers led Egypt to incredible three successive AFCON crowns from 2006 to 2010. He is being held to account against this context, an environment where success is the only acceptable outcome and failure haunts reputations. Salah has done a lot of impressive things during his career. Some of these achievements even go beyond Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but the AFCON tournament is still important for shaping his legacy.
Beyond the borders of Egypt, Salah’s influence transcends the beautiful game. He is regarded as a unifying figure in this sense for the many fans and aspiring players across the region. His performance in AFCON will either cement or erode his legacy – not only in Egypt but all over the African continent.
As Egypt gets ready to host AFCON, much of the focus will still be on Salah. As captain, he is in a singularly powerful position to address the personal and professional issues head on. His talents will be very important to Egypt’s chances of making a deep tournament run.
“Thrown under the bus.” – Mohamed Salah (via The New York Times)
“Back here, we have men to do the job.” – Hossam Hassan
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