World Cup hope for injured Salah
CAIRO: Egyptians held their breath on Sunday amid fears that star striker Mohamed Salah could miss the World Cup after suffering an injury when wrestled to the ground by Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos in the Champions League final.
Ramos, who locked arms with Salah before falling on top of the forward’s shoulder, became an instant hate figure for millions of Egyptians on social media, as well as the thousands who watched the game live at cafes.
“Ramos the Dog”, “Animal”, “We will take revenge”, “Dirty” and many more insults were thrown at Ramos on social media.
Salah left the pitch in tears holding his shoulder after just half an hour, a sight that prompted some Egyptians to burst into tears. Reported to have suffered a sprain in his shoulder ligaments, Salah remains doubtful for the World Cup in Russia.
Without him, Egypt’s chances are “almost non-existent”, said Karim Said, editor-in-chief of Yallakora, a football-focused website. “The (team’s) attack is mainly based on Salah.”
On Sunday morning, the headline on Egyptian newspaper El Watan said it was reverting Ramos’s fate to God, in a tone echoed on social media networks.
News of Salah’s misfortune even prompted President Abdel Fattah al-sisi to tweet: “My heartfelt wishes to the Egyptian champion Mohamed Salah for a speedy recovery from his injury, and I hope he returns to the field soon and remains a shining Egyptian star.”