Mohamed Salah considers international retirement amid Egypt team tensions

Mohamed Salah, captain of the Egyptian national football team, is reportedly considering international retirement following tensions with the team's technical staff led by Hossam Hassan. The controversy stems from Salah's departure from the national team camp prior to the match against South Sudan during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Conflicting reports exist regarding the reason for his departure. Official statements from the Egyptian Football Association and team manager Ibrahim Hassan suggest the absence was pre-arranged due to the match being played on artificial turf, intended to prevent injury and fatigue. However, other reports indicate the move was driven by dissatisfaction following a scoreless draw against Angola, where Salah was substituted in the 60th minute.

Some sources claim Salah felt a lack of appreciation for his role as captain and his efforts to mediate previous conflicts between the coaching staff and other players. He has reportedly sought an urgent meeting with Hani Abou Rida, President of the Egyptian Football Association, to resolve the situation. While Egypt secured a 5-0 victory over South Sudan in his absence, the player's future involvement with the national team remains uncertain.