The streets of Egypt are awash with optimism.
Reaching out to friends and sources based in the football-mad country, the replies all follow a similar theme.
Omar Elbanouby, a sports reporter and author, tells us: ‘My friend, what is happening here is nothing short of madness.
‘The Egyptian fans here keep asking the same question, “Why can’t we beat Argentina?”.
‘If they have Lionel Messi… then we have Mohamed Salah.’
Another acquaintance, the respected journalist Ismael Mahmoud, replies: ‘Mohamed Salah, with the confidence he has and which he transferred to the players, has made the Egyptian people aspire and think, “Why not beat Argentina and Messi? We can do it”.’
Mohamed Salah has inspired a wave of optimism in Egypt, with many of his countrymen believing their side can shock Argentina tonight
‘People here are so happy with Salah… he has become more liberated from the pressure, even though this might be his last World Cup. He genuinely seems like a different person’
The Egyptian players celebrate Salah’s successful spot-kick during their penalty shootout win over Australia in the last 32
Those two words – ‘why not?’ – will underpin everything in Atlanta tonight when Egypt take on Argentina, three-time champions of the world, and the man widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time.
Salah is the man leading it all. Of course he is. After leaving Liverpool under a cloud as he ripped up the final year of his contract following a public spat with now-fired manager Arne Slot, the 34-year-old might have had some doubters.
He scored 12 goals in a year to forget on and off the pitch, 22 fewer than he managed the previous campaign. From sweeping up individual awards galore to a season of strife, it felt like we were seeing Salah’s glorious career drawing to a disappointing close.
But in Egypt, they had other ideas. A positive return of four goals in the Africa Cup of Nations was overshadowed by the Pharaohs crashing out in the semi-finals to Salah’s old friend – or foe – Sadio Mane and Senegal.
All eyes on America, then, and doing something no Egyptian has ever done before. While he has not been able to build on their seven AFCON titles, succeeding on the biggest stage of the World Cup is unprecedented.
Egypt have qualified or been invited to five finals but only played in four, having not made it to Uruguay in 1930 due to a storm delaying the first leg of their journey, a boat to Marseille, which saw them miss their connection.
They lost to Hungary in 1934, drew twice but did not make it out of the group in 1990, then lost every game in 2018 – a year in which Salah arrived half-fit (at best) after being grappled to the turf by Sergio Ramos in the Champions League final in Kyiv.
This year, though, it has been different. A 1-1 draw with Belgium was a hugely positive result and it was backed up by a 3-1 win over New Zealand with goals from Salah, Mostafa Ziko and Trezeguet. A 1-1 draw with Iran saw them qualify for a first-ever knockout tie.
His legacy as Egypt’s greatest ever footballer is already cemented. But if Salah were to topple world champions Argentina, his stardom would reach indescribable levels
The 34-year-old scores in the group stage win over New Zealand – Egypt’s first-ever victory at the World Cup
That tie was an attritional affair against a spirited Australia side that required a penalty shootout – and a bit of canny analysis with a laptop on the pitch to demonstrate how Socceroos keeper Mat Ryan was quick to commit from spot-kicks. But Egypt were the better team.
Was it Salah’s best game ever? No, he was quiet for large chunks of the 120 minutes but grew into it towards the end, the highlight being an inch-perfect cross that Ramy Rabia headed goalwards only to be denied by a save-of-the-tournament contender from Aussie cult hero Patrick Beach.
Salah was in tears at the end. Even for a man that has scored countless goals in the business end of the Premier League and Champions League, this penalty was one of his most historic moments. He, like Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal or Messi for Argentina, carries a nation on his shoulders.
‘People here are so happy with Salah,’ says Mahmoud. ‘This is the best version of him with the national team since 2018. They feel that something has changed. I’m not just talking about the style of play and performance, but Salah’s personality itself.
‘He has become more liberated from the pressure, even though this might be his last World Cup. He genuinely seems like a different person, someone with no pressure, laughing and joking with everyone, someone who is more socially engaged.
‘At least, that’s how Egyptians see this different version of him in the tournament. For the first time, we feel that Salah is living days without pressure, and this is what allows him to deliver such fantastic performances at the age of 34.’
Elbanouby adds: ‘The fans have rediscovered their faith in Salah — not just as a superstar, but as a true captain. He has led Egypt to the last 16 and restored belief in his ability to carry the national team on football’s biggest stage. It is mad.
‘There is also enormous belief in Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan and his twin brother, Ibrahim (the national team director). The fans have rallied behind the team once again.
‘There is enormous belief in Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan (right)… the fans have rallied behind the team once again’
Egypt supporters drink in the win over Australia at a fan zone in the nation’s New Administrative Capital
‘They stay out in the streets until the early hours of the morning to watch Egypt’s matches – whether in cafes, on giant public screens, at fan zones or at their local clubs.
‘Hassan is driving the Egyptian fans into a frenzy.’
Salah is, of course, a free agent. As of now, he has not decided his next move and will not do so until after the World Cup.
Many originally expected Saudi Arabia to be his next destination but there is no guarantee they can work out the finances.
Al Ittihad made a £150million bid in summer 2023 and never gave up on signing him. Al Hilal could emerge as an option.
His former club Roma have explored the idea of bringing him back, as have fellow Italian giants Juventus, but both could be hamstrung by the finances involved.
Juve boss Luciano Spalletti is the man Salah believes impacted his career the most, the pair having worked together at Roma.
Clubs in the United States and Turkey have also had a look at the situation but it is fair to say the race is wide open right now. A return to Liverpool after Slot’s sacking? It is a fantasy many fans have. Stranger things have happened but it would not make sense for either party.
Although Salah had a poor season by his lofty standards, he is still in tip-top physical condition and could do a stellar job for a top European side.
Salah waves goodbye to Anfield after nine glorious years on Merseyside back in May
His former club Roma have explored the possibility of bringing Salah back to Italy, though the finances involved could be an issue
It would be unfair to say Salah is Egypt’s only chance of glory in North America. Emam Ashour has scored two goals, both well taken. Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush is always a danger, while they are a stubborn unit defensively.
But Salah is the main man.
Perhaps in the level just below Messi, Ronaldo and Co in the list of modern greats, Salah will meet the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner for just the third time after a 3-0 loss for Liverpool against Barcelona (overturned in the second leg when Salah was unavailable) and a 1-1 draw with Roma.
His legacy is cemented in this football-mad nation as Egypt’s greatest ever son. If he were to topple world champions Argentina and the great Messi, though, Salah’s stardom would reach indescribable levels.
The odds are stacked against the Egyptians and Salah. But as they are saying on the streets of Cairo, Alexandria and beyond – why not?
