Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah is a “big boy” who can cope with the “pressure” of turning around his difficult start to the season, according to former Egypt maverick Mido.
Salah, 26, rocketed in 44 goals in 52 matches during a sensational debut season on Merseyside after a €42 million switch from Roma. These electric displays helped the Reds to reach the Champions League final and sent the Pharaohs to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
The beginning of 2018/19, however, has witnessed a noticeable downturn from the forward. Only three goals have followed in 11 matches, while off-field issues with the Egyptian Football Association provide an unwanted distraction.
Speaking on Wednesday at a du Football Champions event to promote the launch of both season 4 and du Talents, a Middle East-first sports tech scouting platform, former Ajax and Tottenham Hotspur striker Mido insisted he had no worries about his celebrated compatriot.
“I don’t think Salah gets affected by pressure,” said the 35-year-old, who scored 20 times in 51 internationals from 2001-09. “He’s a big boy now.
“He knows how to deal with the pressure. You see the penalty he scored in the last minute to get Egypt to the World Cup after 28 years [against Congo], you could easily see that he’s a guy that doesn’t mind pressure.
“Sometimes in football, pressure helps you.
“He just needs to do as he’s doing now, just keep his head down and keep working hard every day, and the good things will come, as it came last season.
“The only way to make it in football is to keep your head down and work hard. And he knows that – I’m sure he will get over this.”
Salah’s momentum appeared to be checked by a controversial collision with Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos during May’s 3-1 Champions League-showpiece defeat. A left shoulder was dislocated in this incident, with the problem hampering his displays at the World Cup.
Mido believed Salah would soon overcome this setback and enjoy another “25-plus goals” campaign
He said: “We all know the second season is always difficult. He had an exceptional season last season and now people are asking him to do the same, which is impossible.
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“Only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo can score 45 goals every year.
“He’s been a little bit unlucky with his injury during the World Cup and just before the World Cup and it affected him a little bit. He’s an emotional boy.
“He got affected by what happened during the World Cup, that Egypt couldn’t make it through, that he couldn’t help the team.
“But again, I always say, if Mohamed Salah ends up scoring 25-plus goals he’s still had a great season.
“So I’m sure he will get over this period, I’m sure he will get back to his top form very quick.”
A muscle strain suffered in last week’s 4-1 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying win over eSwatini saw Salah miss Tuesday’s return match. But he is expected to feature in Liverpool’s trip to Huddersfield on Saturday.
duFC, in partnership with La Liga, offers a professional scouting platform to develop the male and female football champions of tomorrow. More than 21,500 players have taken part in its opening three seasons.
du Talents allows prospects to upload highlights of their skills, connecting directly with coaches and scouts.
For more information, visit www.dufc.ae and https://talent.dufc.ae/.
