Salah is a megastar at Liverpool, but in Egypt he is revered even more.
Every touch brings a roar from the home crowd, and with each appearance comes immense expectation.
His goal on Sunday was his 68th in 118 caps, moving him within one of manager Hassan’s all-time national scoring record. Many will argue it was his most significant yet, ending Egypt’s 92-year wait for a World Cup victory.
No player has been involved in more shots in a single match at this World Cup than Salah was against New Zealand—five attempts of his own and five he set up for teammates.
Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou told ITV that if anyone doubted Salah’s influence on this side, this display removed it.
He added that the performance will instill huge belief: Egypt overcame adversity and their star delivered, the kind of contribution you need to progress.
Former Jamaica winger Jobi McAnuff echoed the sentiment: when his country needed him most, Mo Salah rose to the moment.
Salah has been a senior international for 14 years, and his importance to Egypt is such that top government officials have intervened when he’s been injured.
Team doctor Mohamed Aboud recalls even receiving a call from Egypt’s Minister of Health after Salah’s serious shoulder injury in Liverpool’s 2018 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, amid fears he might miss the World Cup in Russia weeks later.
Yet, despite helping Liverpool to Premier League titles in 2019-20 and 2024-25, he is still chasing his first trophy with the national team.
The generation before Salah captured three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations crowns from 2006 to 2010. Since then, Egypt have lost two finals—against Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal in the 2021 edition, staged in early 2022.
At least this World Cup win lays one of Egypt’s longstanding ghosts to rest.