The Liverpool player responded to those who criticized him for returning to England for hamstring surgery by highlighting his “love” for Egypt.
Due to the injury he sustained last week during Egypt’s match with Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah is anticipated to be out for approximately four weeks.
The Ivory Coast native, 31, has come under fire for traveling to Liverpool to complete his recuperation.
Ahmed Hassan, the record-holding Egyptian cap holder, stated that Salah ought to have remained with the team “even if he only had one leg to stand on”.
Egypt captain Salah hopes to rejoin his team-mates if they reach the latter stages of the tournament, and he gave short shrift to those who questioned his commitment to his country.
“Yesterday I started the treatment and rehabilitation program and I will do everything possible to be ready as soon as possible and return to the national team as was agreed upon from the beginning… I still love it and love its people. Try harder,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Salah had observed from the stands as Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Cape Verde on Monday guaranteed them a spot in the round of 16.
The two-time African Player of the Year lost to Senegal two years ago and Cameroon in the finals both times, and has never won the Cup of Nations.
Salah’s return to Merseyside has been perceived as putting club before nation, with Liverpool now vying for the Premier League title and also participating in the FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League.
After learning that Salah had chosen to return to Anfield, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp felt compelled to issue an apology to the Egyptian FA.
However, Ramy Abbas Issa, Salah’s agent, defended the player on social media on Thursday.
“The same individuals and ‘influencers’ who get weak in the knees when they happen to bump into Mohamed in person and beg for ‘follows’ or selfies, tried to capitalise on an unfortunate injury and questioned Mohamed’s commitment to his country,” he posted on X.
“They did this looking for fame, clicks and ‘likes’. I want to thank those who did the honourable thing and pointed out how ridiculous and cheap that was. I took names. In both cases.
“Most importantly, to the vast majority of you, who support Mohamed, my message to you is not to worry, because your global icon, the one you helped create, is already too big to be brought down by social media.
“No hyperventilating or foaming-in-the-mouth ‘influencer’ is going to change that.”
