* Calm down. We need you. We have an AfCON and another FIFA World Cup™ coming up
* Forget about the ‘last dance’ talk and all that — Egypt doesn’t produce a Mohamed Salah every day
Maravi Express
While he hasn’t revealed his intentions regarding his future with the national team, Mohamed Salah may have played his very last FIFA World Cup™ game on Tuesday night, but not if legendary Egypt forward Mohamed Aboutrika has any say in the matter.
Mohamed Aboutrika (right) with a younger Sallah in his playing days
The retired legend has urged Salah to keep the Egypt jersey on for a few more years, addressing the former Liverpool star on TV by saying: “Calm down. We need you. We have an AfCON and another World Cup coming up.
“Forget about the ‘last dance’ talk and all that — Egypt doesn’t produce a Mohamed Salah every day. So he shouldn’t take any rash decisions.”
It was a night bookended by triumph and tears as Egyptians watched their team lead against reigning world champions Argentina by two goals in Atlanta – only for the match to turn on its head in the space of 13 minutes and knock the Pharaohs out of the FIFA World Cup™ 2026 in the Round of 16.
Football is a passion in Egypt, and millions of fans had watched the match in cafes, squares, and homes. The dream of reaching the quarterfinals in North America seemed within touching distance after an impressive and dogged performance against the world champions.
But, having been behind by two goals until the 79th minute, Argentina staged a stunning comeback — inspired by Lionel Messi and with the clock ticking towards full-time, they scored three goals to book their place in the last eight, shattering Egyptians’ hearts.
The dramatic end to the match turned Egyptians’ joy into sadness, and then anger at the perceived injustice of a string of referee decisions in Argentina’s favour.
But there was also pride in the national team’s performance. Led by Mohamed Salah, the team played as well as any Egyptian has seen them do in years.
Coach Hossam Hassan
Calls for coach Hossam Hassan to continue
Hossam Hassan’s contract expired upon Egypt’s FIFA World Cup™ 2026 exit, and while the fate of him and his twin brother Ibrahim, who is the director of the national team, has yet to be determined, reports on the Channel On Sport suggest the twins will remain in charge until at least the FIFA World Cup™ 2030.
Hossam has been credited for transforming the national team in a short period of time, giving them an identity they had been lacking, and unearthing hidden gems like Zico and France-born Real Oviedo forward Haissem Hassan, whose skills in the Australia and Argentina games stood out.
After a decade of solely relying on Salah, Egypt looked like a complete team in North America, with 26 players willing to give everything they’ve got for Hossam, who won multiple AfCON titles and represented the Pharaohs in the FIFA World Cup™ 1990 during his playing days.
Aboutrika and many other pundits have stressed the importance of Hassan’s role in Egypt’s unprecedented run at this World Cup and are in full favour of his contract renewal.
Hossam sees his work with the national team as a long-term project, and is keen on building a future generation, spearheaded by the likes of Omar Marmoush, Hamza Abdelkarim and Haissem Hassan, to take over the baton from the 34-year-old Salah.
Aboutrika gave Hassan full credit for uncovering the talents of players like Zico, who was a late addition to the squad and scored twice at the World Cup, but noted that the process of identifying prospects must start at an early age.
“Zico is captain Hossam Hassan’s discovery,” said Aboutrika. “Captain Hossam took several bold and brave decisions at this World Cup.
“Hossam has a good eye and he is convincing when he speaks to a player. He was a legendary player and can convince his players to perform a certain way because he was in their shoes.”
Meanwhile, Mostafa Shobeir became just the fifth goalkeeper in FIFA World Cup™ history to save two penalties outside shoot-outs in a single tournament and finished the competition with a total of 14 saves.
The unanimous view across Egyptian media is that the 26-year-old Al Ahly goalkeeper could land a contract at one of Europe’s top five leagues on the back of his phenomenal World Cup campaign.
“Mostafa Shobeir is scary. Since Essam El Hadary, I have not seen a goalkeeper playing with that level of confidence, except for Mostafa Shobeir,” said former Egypt and Zamalek forward Shikabala on the MBC Masr show Fayek fel Mondial.
“He has to go play abroad, and at a big club as well. Going back to play in the Egyptian league would be a real shame.”
Over on beIN Sports, former Egypt and Aston Villa right back Ahmed Elmohamady said: “This was a historic performance from Mostafa Shobeir at this World Cup.
“Before the tournament, there were doubts about Hossam Hassan favouring Shobeir over Mohamed El Shenawy but the faith captain Hossam had in Shobeir gave him the edge and he did not disappoint.
“From the very first game against Belgium he has been exceptional. He saved a penalty against Iran and today against Messi and his other saves against Mac Allister and Alvarez.
“I think he has given one of the greatest performances among all the Egyptian players at this World Cup.”
Shobeir looked inconsolable after the game and could barely look the beIN Sports reporter in the eye as he answered his questions.
“Victory was close but we were missing some small details that can make all the difference in big games like this one. We did our best and tried until the last minute but it wasn’t meant to be,” said Shobeir.—Reporting by The National News; editing by Maravi Express
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