Mohamed Salah vows to play at World Cup for Egypt after shoulder injury in Liverpool Champions League defeat
Salah forced out of final defeat to Real Madrid after heavy fall under Sergio Ramos challenge but insists he can be fit to star at Russia 2018
MOHAMED SALAH has vowed to be fit for the World Cup after injury wrecked his Champions League dreams.
Salah was forced off early in Liverpool’s heartbreaking defeat to Real Madrid with a shoulder injury – putting his participation in Russia in doubt.
The Egypt captain was taken to hospital for x-rays amid fears he had broken his collarbone but those initial worries seem to have eased.
And now the 25-year-old has spoken for the first time since his big night was cut short to insist he will fight to star for his country at Russia 2018.
Salah said: “It was a very tough night, but I’m a fighter.
“Despite the odds, I’m confident that I’ll be in Russia to make you all proud.
“Your love and support will give me the strength I need.”
Salah was forced off just 30 minutes into the game against Real having damaged his shoulder in a tussle with Spanish defender Sergio Ramos.
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There were claims Ramos deliberately set out to hurt the Premier League golden boot winner who was Liverpool’s main threat in the final.
But Ramos insists it was not his intention to cause injury to his rival, as the pair crashed to the ground in a heap.
Salah is Egypt’s big hope to lead them into the World Cup, where they have been drawn in Group A along with hosts Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
There is genuine belief that on the back of a season in which he was crowned PFA and Football Writers Association player of the year, he can inspire his country into the knock-out stages.
He will report for international duty with the rest of the squad, and now has 19 days to prove his fitness ahead of their opening game.
Egypt face Uruguay kn June 15 in Ektarinburg, a day after the tournament begins when Russia face Saudi Arabia.