Mohamed Salah has raised doubts about his future with Egypt after their agonising failure to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
In a video released by Egypt's ministry of youth and sports, the Liverpool star said was proud of the Pharoahs “whether I'm here or not".
Egypt were beaten by Senegal in their World Cup play-off in midweek, losing out in a penalty shoot-out after the two-leg tie finished all square.
The video shows Salah addressing his teammates in the locker room after their defeat, saying: “I told the players yesterday [before the match] that I am proud to have played with them, and that they're among the best I have played with.
“There isn't much to say, but it has been an honour to play with you, whether or not I'm here.”
Salah's comments are being interpreted in Egypt as a signal he may be ready to retire from international football.
The 29-year-old started his career with the national team in 2011 and has 84 caps, scoring 47 goals.
One of his standout achievements was scoring a last-moment goal in the 2017 World Cup qualifiers against Congo, sending Egypt to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Salah's 20 Premier League goals for Liverpool in 2021-22
-
1. Mohamed Salah's first goal of the season came in Liverpool's first game of the season, a 3-0 victory at newly promoted Norwich City on August 14. Reuters -
2. Salah's second goal came on August 28, in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Chelsea. Reuters -
3. No 3 of the season was at Leeds United, where Liverpool won 3-0. EPA -
4. Another for Salah in the Premier League in the 3-0 win against Crystal Palace on September 18. AFP -
5. A thrilling 3-3 draw at Brentford on September 25 saw Salah claim another goal. AFP -
6. A goal that will be talked about for years to come: Salah scores a wonderful strike in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City on October 3. EPA -
7. The international break did nothing to slow Salah's form, as he danced around Watford's bewildered defence to score in the 5-0 win at Vicarage Road. Reuters -
8. Salah scores the third against Manchester United in Liverpool's 5-0 Premier League triumph on October 24. Getty -
9. Salah was soon at it again, adding the fourth at Old Trafford. Getty -
10. A hat-trick for Salah, adding the fifth in Liverpool's 5-0 win at Manchester United. Getty -
11. After three games without a goal, Salah is back on the scoresheet in the 4-0 demolition of Arsenal in the Premier League on November 20. EPA -
12. Another to delight the Liverpool fans as Salah scores his side's second goal during the 4-1 Merseyside derby win at Everton on December 1. AP -
13. His next came in the same match at Goodison Park. EPA -
14. The only goal of the game in the 1-0 Premier League victory over Aston Villa at Anfield on December 11. EPA -
15. Liverpool keep the momentum going with a 3-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield, with Salah netting the second, on December 16. Reuters -
16. Salah celebrates another goal in the 2-2 draw at Chelsea on January 2. AP -
17. Salah scores the second goal in the 3-1 win against Norwich on February 19. PA -
18. Mohamed Salah scores in the 6-0 win against Leeds on February 23. PA -
19. Salah after scoring his second goal of the game against Leeds. AP -
20. Another stunning season for Mohamed Salah as he notches Premier League goal No 20 in the 2-0 win at Brighton on March 12. PA
On Tuesday, Salah blazed a penalty over the crossbar in the shoot-out with Senegal, and his Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane then scored the winner.
It is the second time in two months that the Pharoahs have lost out to Senegal after the Africa Cup of Nations final in February, in a match that also ended in a penalty shoot-out.
Salah will be hoping to put his international heartbreak behind him on Saturday and return to action with Liverpool in the Premier League, when they host relegation-threatened Watford.
