Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah has responded to the pressure to be a main force for Egypt at the AFCON in a rare interview. The African superstar is currently injured but hopes his teammates can continue to perform in his absence.
“I hear the criticism,” Salah said in a press conference, via The Athletic. “If we lose a game, people are very critical. I believe in our team and I believe in our players.”I think we will continue to improve our performance. “It is true that I am the captain, but I hope you will be flexible and understand that the players will do their best, even if the results are not as expected.”
When asked how he felt after the injury, Salah replied: “I’m still hurt.” The most important story is the match. “We have great players and a great team.”It is not easy to be the one who has to carry this burden alone. With every shot Salah took, 110 million pairs of eyes hoped he would contribute to victory. That made Egypt’s penalty kick in the seventh minute of their first AFCON opener all the more impressive, saving a draw against Mozambique. This could mean that it can perform differently in competition. “I ask the fans to stand behind the team,” Salah said.
“Football is not easy. There are quite a few players who are participating in the competition for the first time. “The pressure is not on the fans, but on us as players. We are open to criticism. But as professionals, we know what to expect in the field. I respect all opinions. We’ll do our best, but we’ll ignore what you say on social media.
“I don’t think my presence will put additional pressure on the players. Playing with Mohamed Salah is optional. Any player can be replaced and another player’s performance can improve, but that doesn’t mean that player has had a negative impact on that player’s performance. I think we are one team. That’s all I can say.”
