According to reports from the Egyptian team staff and Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot, the forward picked up the issue during recent club action and was immediately ruled out of international duty as a precaution.

The decision is part of a broader medical plan to avoid aggravating the problem ahead of a crucial period in both club and national team schedules. Egypt lose their leadership presence and the most dangerous goal threat.

How and when did Mohamed Salah get injured?

Mohamed Salah suffered a minor muscle injury during Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League match against Galatasaray on March 18, 2026, after feeling discomfort in the second half and requesting to be substituted.

The issue occurred at Anfield during the Round of 16 second leg, where the Egyptian forward had a standout performance but began experiencing physical discomfort after a sprinting action late in the game.

According to Liverpool manager Arne Slot, he “felt something” and immediately signaled to the bench, prompting his substitution as a precaution rather than continuing to risk further damage. The medical staff later confirmed that the problem was muscular in nature, though not considered a serious long-term injury.

Despite completing an impressive match, the knock was enough for Liverpool to rule him out of immediate fixtures, including the Premier League clash against Brighton and Egypt’s international friendly against Spain.

When could Mohamed Salah return to play?

Mohamed Salah is expected to return shortly after the international break, with a projected comeback window of around two weeks, depending on how his recovery progresses.

Early reports from Liverpool’s medical department suggest optimism, with the club targeting his availability for the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City. Both the club and Egypt are focused on a controlled recovery plan.

Manager Arne Slot has indicated that his strong physical conditioning could allow him to recover faster than usual, but stressed that the club will not rush his return given the importance of the final stretch of the season.

If his rehabilitation continues without setbacks, he could rejoin full training almost immediately after the break, putting him in contention for Liverpool’s key upcoming fixtures across domestic and European competitions.

This move would not be possible under the current structure unless MLS introduces a fourth Designated Player spot or more flexible regulations. The Designated Player rule allows teams to pay a player above the salary cap without the full cost impacting the roster. At present, this limitation represents the main obstacle to any potential deal involving Salah joining Inter Miami.

It is already official that Salah is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after nine years, during which he set multiple records and won major trophies. He joined in 2016 when Liverpool were still in a long wait for a league title, and went on to lift the Premier League in 2019-20 and 2024-25, as well as the Champions League in 2018-19.

Who occupies the other designated player spots?

As mentioned, Inter Miami do not have a Designated Player slot available to offer Salah, as Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and German Berterame currently occupy those positions. De Paul originally joined Inter Miami on loan in the middle of the MLS season without a DP spot available at that time, a path that is not viable for Salah now.

The Argentina midfielder arrived just months before the contract of former Designated Player Sergio Busquets expired, which allowed De Paul to replace him on the roster at the end of the season. Once the campaign ended, Inter Miami triggered De Paul’s clause to make his move permanent under the new DP position.

Salah’s departure from Liverpool, however, comes at a complicated moment for Inter Miami to adjust their DP structure. Messi has recently signed a contract extension through 2028, while De Paul and Berterame are under contract through the 2028-2029 MLS season.

What Salah would bring to Inter Miami

If Salah were to arrive at Inter Miami, it would create an imbalance within MLS. A partnership between Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah would likely form one of the most dangerous attacking duos in league history, capable of consistently overwhelming opposing defenses.

Even though Salah may no longer be at the absolute peak of his career, he recently helped Egypt qualify for the 2026 World Cup. In the current season with Liverpool, he has recorded 10 goals and 9 assists in 34 matches across Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League and Community Shield.

For months, San Diego FC was viewed as the frontrunner. The club is owned by British-Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour, making the cultural connection to Salah obvious. However, reports now indicate that a massive Designated Player contract for an aging superstar may not align with the club’s long-term sporting philosophy.

Similarly, the Chicago Fire were once heavily linked to Salah. While the Fire have a history of chasing global icons—including recent pursuits of Neymar, Kevin De Bruyne, and Robert Lewandowski—they have reportedly shifted their primary focus away from Salah during this summer’s recruitment window.

A surprise team to keep an eye on

Among the possibilities for following in Messi’s footsteps to the United States, Bogert hasn’t ruled out NYCFC. The move would be particularly striking given that NYCFC is a sister club to Manchester City.

Considering Salah’s deep, historic bond with Liverpool, it could be a massive shock for Reds fans to see their idol wearing a sky-blue jersey so similar to that of their fiercest Premier League rival.

The driving factor that could push NYCFC to move for Salah is the opening of their new stadium in Queens for the upcoming season. Landing a superstar of the Egyptian’s caliber would be a masterstroke to ensure sellout crowds and massive interest in the new venue. Furthermore, Bogert noted that a source close to the situation indicated the club has not ruled out making a formal attempt to sign Salah this summer.

What other options does Salah have?

With his MLS prospects reportedly narrowing, Salah’s path to North America appears increasingly difficult. In this scenario, the Egyptian star is more likely to follow the trail blazed by Cristiano Ronaldo and join the Saudi Pro League, where massive financial backing and cultural proximity await.

According to Tom Bogert, Al Ittihad remain the frontrunner. The club famously launched a staggering £150 million ($189 million) bid for Salah in the summer of 2023, and its interest has never waned. A move to Al Ittihad would position Salah as the undisputed face of the league alongside Ronaldo.

Also among the reported options are Al Hilal, who previously attempted to secure Salah to lead their squad in the FIFA Club World Cup. Bogert’s report also identifies Al Qadsiah and NEOM as potential candidates, though they currently lack the same institutional pull as the aforementioned Saudi powerhouses.

The trend of veteran superstars exiting Europe has accelerated in 2026. Most recently, Antoine Griezmann announced his move to Orlando City to join Messi in MLS. However, Salah is more likely to follow Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia.

In December 2025, as contract extension talks with Liverpool stalled, Saudi officials reportedly intensified their pursuit. Salah has been heavily linked to Al Ittihad as a potential replacement for Karim Benzema, who recently transferred to Al Hilal.

Key factors favoring a move to the Middle East include a significantly higher salary package than what MLS can offer and the geographic proximity to his home country, Egypt.

A legendary nine-year chapter ends

Salah’s departure from Anfield is now a confirmed fact, officially announced by Liverpool. Since his arrival at the club in 2017, the Egyptian forward has transformed into one of the most significant figures in club’s history, playing a pivotal role in re-establishing the Reds as a global powerhouse among the world’s elite teams.

“The forward has reached an agreement with the Reds that will see him close a remarkable nine-year chapter at Anfield. Salah expressed his wish to make this announcement to the supporters at the earliest possible opportunity to provide transparency about his future due to his respect and gratitude for them,” Liverpool stated in an official statement.

Throughout his nine-year tenure at the club, Salah has scored 255 goals in 435 appearances to date, cementing his status as the third-highest scorer in Liverpool history.

Additionally, the Egyptian forward was instrumental in leading the club to an era of global dominance, winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the FA Cup, two League Cups, and an FA Community Shield.

Attempting an audacious Panenka-style finish, Salah saw his chipped effort comfortably smothered by Galatasaray captain Ugurcan Cakir.

The veteran goalkeeper’s composure under pressure denied the “Egyptian King” and kept the Turkish side’s upset hopes alive in a high-stakes European night.

This latest failure from the spot marks Salah’s third significant penalty miss of the 2025–26 campaign for club and country. The slump follows a high-profile miss in August’s Community Shield shootout against Crystal Palace and a saved spot-kick during Egypt’s heartbreaking AFCON third-place playoff loss to Nigeria in January.

Analyzing Mohamed Salah’s uncharacteristic statistical slump

Salah’s 2025–26 campaign has defied his usual standards of excellence, as the Egyptian winger struggles to find the clinical edge that defined his Anfield legacy.

With just five goals and six assists through 22 Premier League appearances, the “Egyptian King” is currently on pace for his lowest statistical output since arriving on Merseyside, a worrying trend for Arne Slot’s side as they push for a top-four finish.

The drought has been particularly stark in league play; prior to his recent strike against Wolves on March 3, Salah had gone over four months without a Premier League goal, dating back to a November 1 finish against Aston Villa.

This lack of production has changed with his performance in Europe, where he has scored four goals across eight Champions League fixtures (two against Galatasaray), leaving Liverpool searching for offensive answers in high-leverage moments.

Below is the comprehensive statistical breakdown of Salah’s performance across all competitions this season:

• Premier League Appearances: 22 Goals: 5 Assists: 6
• Champions League Appearances: 8 Goals: 4 Assists: 1
• FA Cup Appearances: 2 Goals: 2 Assists: 1
• Community Shield Appearances: 1 Goals: 0 Assists: 0
• 2025–26 Total (Liverpool) Appearances: 33 Goals: 11 Assists: 8

According to the Egyptian Football National Team’s official X account, Salah will start for Egypt in the third-place match against Nigeria. As the captain and most pivotal player for the Pharaohs, he currently leads the team in scoring this tournament with four goals in five matches.

The Liverpool forward was essential during the group stage, netting a stoppage-time goal in the opening 2-1 win over Zimbabwe to start the campaign on the right foot. He followed that up as the lone scorer in the second match against South Africa, sealing Egypt’s qualification for the Round of 16.

The Egypt captain remained clutch during the knockout stage, scoring a crucial goal in extra time to secure a 3-1 victory over Benin in the Round of 16. His most recent goal came in the quarterfinal thriller against Ivory Coast, helping Egypt extend their lead in an eventual 3-2 win.

That goal against Ivory Coast also allowed Salah to continue rewriting the record books of Egyptian soccer. With that strike, Salah joined Hossam Hassan as Egypt’s second all-time leading scorer in AFCON history, with 11 career goals in the competition.

The starting XI confirmed for Egypt

To face Nigeria in the AFCON third-place match, these are the eleven players representing the Pharaohs: Mostafa Shobeir, Mohamed Hany, Rami Rabia, Hamdy Fathy, Khaled Sobhy, Muhannad Lasheen, Emam Ashour, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Mohamed.

The road to the semifinals

Both Egypt and Nigeria put together impressive campaigns that their fans should be proud of. The Pharaohs finished at the top of their group and remained undefeated until the semifinals. However, in a hard-fought semifinal clash against Senegal, Sadio Mane managed to score with just 10 minutes remaining to send his side to the tournament final.

On the Nigerian side, the Eagles also reached the semifinals as group leaders, with the added distinction of winning every match they played. However, they faced a grueling test against Morocco, the host nation, in the semifinals. After a tense encounter that ended 0-0 through 120 minutes, Nigeria was ultimately eliminated in a penalty shootout.

The spotlight was firmly on Senegal‘s Mane and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, two former Liverpool teammates now on opposing sides in this riveting bout. The anticipated face-off between these football titans added a significant layer of intrigue, heightening expectations for a thrilling encounter. However, the game ultimately unfolded as a dominant display by the Lions of Teranga.

Following a lackluster performance, Egypt are now set to compete in the third-place playoff, anxiously waiting to see who their opponent will be. Meanwhile, Senegal gear up for another shot at the AFCON title, eager to clinch the championship. Explore the article to relive the match highlights, including Mane’s crucial goal.

The side managed by Hossam Hassan started the match in the best way possible, capitalizing on a defensive error by Odilon Kossounou that allowed Omar Marmoush to net the opening goal just three minutes into the game.

After the early blow, Ivory Coast struggled to find their rhythm. Just as it seemed they were nearing an equalizer, Salah delivered a brilliant cross for Ramy Rabia to score the second goal of the match. However, the Elephants managed to pull one back minutes later via an Ahmed Fatouh own goal, heading into the break with their hopes alive.

In the second half, the Pharaohs extended their lead early on with a goal from Salah in the 52nd minute, nearly putting the game away. Yet, Ivory Coast refused to surrender and cut the deficit again in the 73rd minute through Guela Doue, sparking an electric finish at Adrar Stadium.

The Elephants pushed for the equalizer until the final minute, but El Shenawy put on a stellar performance to preserve the lead, securing the victory for his team. Egypt will now play for a spot in the final on Wednesday, January 14, when they face Sadio Mane’s Senegal.

The Pharaohs arrive at this point after securing victories in both of their previous outings. They opened the tournament with a 2–1 win over Zimbabwe, then followed it up with another victory, edging South Africa 1–0 thanks to a goal from Mohamed Salah.

Meanwhile, Angola has collected just one point so far in the competition. That total comes from a 1–1 draw against Zimbabwe, while their tournament opener ended in a 2–1 loss to South Africa.

What happens if Egypt beat Angola?

If Egypt defeat Angola on Matchday 3 of AFCON 2025, they will have completed the group stage not only unbeaten, with a perfect nine points from nine available. Alongside Algeria and Nigeria, the Pharaohs are one of just three teams that have already secured their place in the round of 16.

What happens if Egypt and Angola tie?

If the match between Egypt and Angola ends in a draw, the Mohamed Salah–led side would finish with a total of seven points, securing first place in Group B. Even if South Africa win their match, they won’t be able to catch the Pharaohs at the top of the group if Egypt secures just one more point.

What happens if Egypt lose vs Angola?

If Egypt lose to Angola, the outcome of the other group match comes into play. If South Africa defeat Zimbabwe, they would reach six points alongside Egypt, and it would ultimately come down to goal difference to determine who tops Group B.

The match saw Egypt dominate possession early, creating several dangerous opportunities through Salah and Marmoush. South Africa defended deep but began to gain momentum in the second half, forcing Egypt to defend more cautiously. Key interventions from Elshenaway kept the lead intact.

South Africa had chances from set pieces and long-range efforts, but Egypt’s defense and goalkeeper stood tall. Egypt managed the final minutes effectively, maintaining control and preventing any clear scoring opportunities. The result leaves Egypt top of Group B as the tournament progresses.

Mohamed Salah won’t be playing for Liverpool against Inter Milan, as head coach Arne Slot excluded him after he made a controversial statement to the media about his current situation with the team, which reportedly displeased the club’s front office.

“We have informed him that he is not traveling with us. That was our sole communication to him. Naturally, leading up to Saturday, the two of us talked extensively, sometimes in longer discussions and sometimes shorter,“ Arne Slot stated during the press conference ahead of today’s game.

With this announcement, Liverpool fans are sensing discord between the head coach and the player. The team has struggled in recent matches, securing just four wins in its last 15 across all competitions.

What did Salah say about Slot?

Before the pivotal match against Inter Milan, Salah opened up about his relationship with Slot, expressing concerns over how he has been treated within the team. Salah has been a crucial figure for Liverpool in recent years, making his comments particularly striking.

“I have often stated that I had a good relationship with the manager; now, suddenly, we have no relationship,” Salah commented after Liverpool’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Leeds United last weekend.

“I don’t understand why, but it feels like someone at the club doesn’t want me here. It seems the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I feel. It’s quite obvious to me that someone wanted to shift all the blame onto me,“ Salah remarked.

Liverpool’s replacement for Salah

With the absence of the Egyptian star from today’s lineup against Inter Milan, Liverpool is expected to rely on Curtis Jones as the primary candidate to fill Salah’s shoes, given that there seems to be no available right winger ready to step into the starting position.

This is the confirmed lineup for Liverpool without Salah:

• Goalkeeper: Becker
• Defenders: Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson
• Midfielders: Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai
• Forwards: Ekitike, Isak, Jones