Mohamed Salah believes he can recover in time to play for Egypt at the World Cup in Russia after the cruel injury which forced him off during the first half of Liverpool's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
Salah labelled himself "a fighter" in a tweet on Sunday evening and went on to say: "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."
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. pic.twitter.com/HTfKF4S70e
— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) May 27, 2018
Egypt's Football Association said on Twitter that the injury was sprained shoulder ligaments, and it too voiced optimism that the country's star player would be fit for the tournament which starts on June 14, with Egypt facing Uruguay the following day.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp meanwhile said in his post-match news conference it was a "serious injury" and added "it doesn't look good".
Get well soon @MoSalah 🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/qUiuWwlXU9
— Egypt National Football Team (@Pharaohs) May 26, 2018
Salah enjoyed a stellar season at Liverpool, scoring 44 goals in all competitions and breaking the English Premier League record for most goals in a 38-match season. Expectations on Salah were high going into the Champions League final, but it turned into a disastrous night for Liverpool after his early exit and two blunders by goalkeeper Loris Karius.
The injury to Salah happened when he tangled with Real defender Sergio Ramos, who earlier today sent his well wishes to the Egyptian star.
El fútbol te enseña la cara más dulce a veces y la más amarga otras. Ante todo somos compañeros. Pronta recuperación, Salah. El futuro te espera.||Sometimes football shows you it's good side and other times the bad. Above all, we are fellow pros. #GetWellSoon @MoSalah
— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) May 27, 2018
Other members of the football community followed suit in wishing Salah a quick recovery, including Real's Toni Kroos and Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger.
Don‘t want to forget to wish my friend @DaniCarvajal92 and @MoSalah a speedy recovery. Hope to see both at the world cup!
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) May 27, 2018
Get well soon @MoSalah 😕🙏🏾 #bro #UCLFinal #RMALIV
— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) May 26, 2018
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Liverpool's Loris Karius 'infinitely sorry' for costly mistakes in Champions League final
Will Mohamed Salah be a one-season wonder?
Comment: Uefa Champions League final proved a cruel affair for Liverpool pair Salah and Karius
Egypt 'optimistic' Mohamed Salah will be fit for World Cup despite shoulder injury for Liverpool