Mohamed Salah's ex-Egypt teammate reveals what Liverpool star is really like off the pitch

• Liverpool FC News
• Features
• Mohamed Salah

Amid claims that Mohamed Salah often avoids media duties on the international scene and "largely gets what he wants", one of his former teammates has defended him

Sam Morsy has jumped to Mohamed Salah's defense following a recent article in The Athletic

Former Ipswich Town midfielder Sam Morsy has sprung to the defense of Mohamed Salah amid claims the Liverpool star “largely gets what he wants” within the Egypt setup.

Salah is revered in his home country, the Arab world, and throughout Africa, and is largely seen as the poster boy of the Egyptian national team. That has been justified by his performances and contributions, with Salah helping his country qualify for the World Cup twice and scoring 62 goals.

He was on target once again in the opening game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as Egypt beat Zimbabwe. Unsurprisingly, Salah has been the subject of intense media coverage in the build-up to what could be his final opportunity to win the tournament, including a detailed preview in The Athletic.

The article claimed Salah is often allowed to sidestep his media duties as Egypt captain, and that “the world rotates around him and everyone accepts it”.

The report also stated that at times, Salah can lead to him “occasionally stamping his feet at Liverpool”, a pertinent point after his outburst in the Elland Road mixed zone earlier this month, which resulted in the 33-year-old being omitted from the matchday squad against Inter Milan.

But Morsy, who earned nine Egypt caps between 2016 and 2023, has refuted those claims of Salah’s ego-centric and self-serving habits.

“I’ve been in many camps with Salah over the years under different managers this has actually never happened. Disgraceful article,” the ex-Wigan Athletic and Middlesbrough man wrote on X.

Salah's influence on the Egypt squad is heavily scrutinized (Image: Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Salah left it late to help Egypt grab all three points against Zimbabwe. The Liverpool winger netted in the first minute of injury-time to secure a 2-1 victory.

He and Egypt are next in action on Boxing Day, when the seven-time AFCON champions face South Africa.

The Pharaohs last won AFCON in 2010, but then failed to qualify for the tournament for three successive iterations just as Salah was beginning his international career.

Mohamed Salah scored the winning goal for Egypt against Zimbabwe(Image: FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)

The attacker earned runners-up medals in 2017 and 2021 and remains desperate to lift silverware on the international scene.

“Salah’s morale in training is very high, as if he were just starting out with the national team,” said coach Hossam Hassan ahead of the win over Zimbabwe.

“I believe he will have a great tournament with his country. Salah ⁠will be among the best players at the tournament, and he will remain an icon and one of the best players in the world.”