Monday was a heartbreaking day for the Egyptian national team. Just over a month after losing the Africa Cup of Nations final to Senegal, the Pharaohs once again endured disappointment at the hands of the Lions of Teranga via a penalty shootout, this time missing out on a FIFA World Cup ticket.
The North African giants took on the champions of Africa over two legs, with the winner of this tie sealing a spot at Qatar 2022. With the game tied at 1-1 after extra time, spot kicks were needed to decide the result. Egypt missed all but one of their four penalties, albeit under controversial circumstances, with even Salah skying his attempt.
As a result, Mane and Co. emerged triumphant and will thus be one of Africa's five representatives at the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Salah, on the other hand, will miss out on the trip to Qatar, with the Liverpool sensation breaking down in tears after the final whistle.
Given that the former Roma and Chelsea winger is the captain of his national team, he made sure to fulfill his role as the skipper and gave a speech to his crushed teammates in the dressing room. This moment was captured on video as the Anfield ace was fighting back tears, expressing the immense pride he held for his comrades while also hinting at a retirement from international football.
"I told the players before the second match that I am proud to play with them and they are among the best I have played with," the 29-year-old said in a video posted by Ismael Mahmoud, a journalist for Egyptian news outlet Sada ElBalad.
Salah Words pic.twitter.com/BYTz5xORbK
— Ismael Mahmoud (@ismaeelmahmoudd) March 30, 2022
"I played for some time with the previous generation, with Wael Gomaa and Mohamed Abu Trika, then Abdullah Al-Saeed and his generation, but I'm happy with the current generation.
"I am proud to play with you and it was an honor for me, and what happened cannot be interfered with by anyone because for the second time it is a penalty shootout (after the AFCON final).
"There is not much I can say but it has been an honor to play with you, whether I will be in the national team after that or not."
Egyptian Minister of Sports Ashraf Sobhi cut in at this moment, saying: "You will be there."
It's hard to tell whether Salah truly intends to hang up his boots or whether emotions got the better of him. There will be another shot at silverware for the Egyptian ace next year, with the Africa Cup of Nations returning in 2023. However, the attacker could be 34 by the time the next FIFA World Cup kicks off, should his country qualify.
