Egyptian coach compares Salah with Ronaldo, Messi

According to Egypt coach Rui Vitoria, striker Mohamed Salah has a similar position to Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of importance to the national team.

"Salah is very important for the Egyptian team," Vitoria told Portuguese newspaper Record on October 9. "These top stars are very important for their respective teams, like Salah, Ronaldo, Messi, and maybe Neymar, Kylian Mbappe. Every strong team has a player like that."

Coach Vitoria in a conversation with Salah at the Egyptian team's training ground. Photo: Ojogo — Coach Vitoria in a conversation with Salah at the Egyptian team's training ground. Photo: *Ojogo*

Rui Vitoria, a Portuguese, has led many domestic clubs such as Vilafranquense, Fatima, Pacos Ferreira, Vitoria Guimaraes and Benfica. The 53-year-old coach also has experience at many foreign clubs such as Al Nassr or Spartak Moscow. Among them, he was most successful when leading Benfica from 2015-2019, winning seven titles including two consecutive Portuguese National Championships.

In July 2022, Vitoria was appointed as the coach of the Egyptian national team on a four-year contract. According to Vitoria, stars like Salah, Ronaldo, and Messi have a huge influence in raising the standards of all members of the team, from the coaching staff, players to the team's development structure. He sees this as a huge challenge and wants Egyptian football to continue to improve its level.

When asked more about the qualities Salah brings to the Egyptian team, the 53-year-old coach replied: "Salah is a player I love both on and off the pitch. He is humble, friendly, brings very positive energy to the whole team and you feel that. Salah is professional, always cares about his teammates, and that makes me very satisfied."

Salah represented Egypt at the U20 and U23 teams, and participated in the 2011 U20 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics. He made his senior debut in September 2011, was named captain in September 2019 and has 51 goals and 29 assists in 91 appearances. Salah has yet to win a trophy with Egypt, having lost both Africa Cup of Nations finals, to Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal in 2022.

Salah (red shirt) dribbles the ball during Egypt's 1-3 loss to Tunisia at home in Cairo on September 13. Photo: Ahram — Salah (red shirt) dribbles the ball during Egypt's 1-3 loss to Tunisia at home in Cairo on September 13. Photo: *Ahram*

Salah has only played once at the World Cup with Egypt in 2018. They were eliminated in the group stage after three defeats: Uruguay 0-1, Russia 1-3 and Saudi Arabia 1-2. In the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Egypt lost 1-3 to Senegal in a penalty shootout, with Salah missing the first.

Salah's achievements at Liverpool are somewhat in contrast to the national team. In the past 6 years, this striker has scored 192 goals in 315 matches, winning all the titles including Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield, European Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Previously, the 31-year-old striker played for Roma, Fiorentina, Chelsea, Basel, Al Mokawloon and only won two titles - the Swiss National Championship in 2013 and 2014 with Basel.

Hong Duy

Source link