Mohamed Salah has put recent club-level frustrations behind him and is fully focused on leading Egypt to success at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), according to national team coach Hossam Hassan.
The Liverpool and Egypt superstar enters the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco determined to finally lift the continental trophy that has eluded him throughout his illustrious international career. Egypt open their Group B campaign against Zimbabwe on Monday in Agadir, with Salah expected to play a central role.
Salah’s Morale High Ahead of AFCON Opener
Despite arriving at the tournament following a turbulent period at Liverpool, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan insists that Salah’s mindset is strong and his motivation unquestionable.
“Salah’s morale in training is very high, as if he were just starting out with the national team,” Hassan said. “I believe he will have a great tournament with his country.”
Hassan added that Salah’s leadership, professionalism, and experience make him one of the standout players at the tournament, regardless of recent setbacks at club level.
“I believe Salah will be among the best players at the tournament. He remains an icon and one of the best players in the world,” Hassan said. “We cannot forget that Salah needs to win the Africa Cup of Nations.”
At 33 years old, this tournament could represent Salah’s final realistic opportunity to claim AFCON silverware, adding a major international honour to his already glittering club career.
Liverpool Issues Put on Hold
Salah’s AFCON campaign comes after a challenging spell at Liverpool, where he last started in the club’s 4-1 Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven at the end of November. He was subsequently dropped for the Premier League match against West Ham United and voiced his frustration following a draw with Leeds United on December 6.
In remarks to journalists, Salah suggested he had been made a scapegoat for Liverpool’s poor start to the season and hinted that his future at Anfield may be uncertain under coach Arne Slot. He later apologised to teammates, seeking to defuse internal tensions.
Hossam Hassan downplayed the situation, stressing that disagreements between players and club coaches are not uncommon.
“There was constant communication with Mohamed Salah during what I don’t want to call a crisis,” Hassan explained. “Any player can have a difference of opinion with his coach at his club.”
AFCON as a Fresh Start for Salah
Salah has not scored since Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa in early November, a drought that also extended into Egypt’s recent friendly against Uzbekistan. However, Hassan believes the national team environment can reignite the forward’s form.
“The same situation happened before when Salah went through a period of not scoring goals with Liverpool,” Hassan said. “He returned to the right path through the national team and came back even better than before.”
Egypt will also benefit from a potent attacking partnership, with Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush expected to line up alongside Salah, forming one of the most dangerous frontlines at the tournament.
Salah’s AFCON Legacy on the Line
Salah has twice come agonisingly close to AFCON glory, finishing as runner-up in 2017 and 2021. Egypt, Africa’s most successful nation in the competition, have won the tournament a record seven times, but their last triumph came in 2010.
With expectations high and pressure mounting, Salah enters AFCON 2025 not only as Egypt’s captain and talisman but as a player seeking redemption and legacy-defining success on the international stage.
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