Egyptian Football Association (EFA) president Hany Abo Rida has claimed forward Mohamed Salah will miss Egypt’s opening World Cup 2018 game, but will recover in time to play hosts Russia on June 19.
Salah, 25, suffered severe shoulder ligament damage after a tussle with Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos while playing for Liverpool during Saturday’s Champions League final against in Kiev, leaving him in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup.
However, EFA chief Rida says the Premier League Player of the Year will be fit for Egypt’s Group A game against Russia, but will miss ‘The Pharaohs’ opening game versus Uruguay on June 15 at Ekaterinburg Arena.
Bleacher Report journalist Dean Jones tweeted: "EFA President Hany Abo Rida says he is likely to miss Egypt's opener against Uruguay. But will be 100% for Russia game."
Despite Liverpool’s medical staff giving a more dire diagnosis, the player himself claimed he would be ready for Russia 2018, tweeting the day after the final: “It was a very tough night, but I'm a fighter. Despite the odds, I'm confident that I'll be in Russia to make you all proud. Your love and support will give me the strength I need.”
READ MORE: ‘I’m a fighter. I’m confident I’ll be in Russia’ - Salah boosts World Cup 2018 hopes
With or without Salah, Egypt will play Russia at St. Petersburg Stadium on June 19, with their final Group A game against Saudi Arabia on June 25 in Volgograd.