Sports
Egypt Boss Denies Rift With Salah As Striker Leaves AFCON Camp
Egypt manager Hossam Hassan has moved to shut down speculation of a rift with captain Mohamed Salah after the Trabzonspor forward left the national team camp ahead of their second AFCON 2027 qualifier.
Salah was substituted during Egypt’s draw with Angola before departing the squad, raising questions over his relationship with Hassan.
The manager, however, insists the decision had been agreed in advance and was made solely to protect the veteran forward from the risks of playing on an artificial surface.
Salah’s absence from Egypt’s upcoming meeting with South Sudan had fuelled speculation of unrest inside the squad, particularly after he was taken off in the 61st minute against Angola.
Hassan has now dismissed those suggestions, stressing that Salah remains central to his plans and that the decision was made with the player’s health in mind.
“I respect all players, led by Mohamed Salah. He is an important, influential and essential player for the team and one of the most important players in the world but we preferred to rest him because of the artificial turf,” Hassan told reporters.
The manager also revealed that Salah had raised the issue before the Angola match, meaning his departure was part of a pre-agreed plan rather than a reaction to events during the game.
“He had spoken with me about the matter before the Angola match, and we agreed on it. We need him in the upcoming matches and the safety of any player is my top priority, and my trust in all the players is immense,” Hassan explained.
Egypt will now face South Sudan without their captain as they continue their campaign to qualify for AFCON 2027.
Salah remains one of the most influential figures in the Egyptian squad, but Hassan has made clear that avoiding an unnecessary injury takes priority at this stage of the qualifying campaign.
The decision also comes amid a busy period for Salah at club level following his move to Trabzonspor, with Egypt keen to ensure their star forward remains available for the more demanding fixtures ahead.
Real Madrid boss José Mourinho has weighed in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s dramatic retirement from international football.
The 41-year-old Al Nassr striker shocked the footballing world on Thursday by announcing his permanent withdrawal from the Portugal national team, drawing the curtain on a legendary 23-year international career.
Addressing the media fallout during his Friday press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s upcoming LALIGA fixture against Valencia, Mourinho offered a supportive perspective on the situation.
Mourinho, who previously managed Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabéu, insisted that the veteran’s controversial exit should not overshadow his monumental contributions to the country.
“His decision must be respected, and I do respect it,” Mourinho daid
However, the Portuguese tactician also expressed visible regret over the sour circumstances surrounding the departure of his nation’s greatest-ever player.
“The only thing I wish for is that the moment of his retirement as a player will be different from his farewell yesterday,” the Real Madrid boss added.
While Ronaldo’s international days are officially over, Mourinho was incredibly quick to remind reporters that the forward remains a devastating force in domestic football.
“He hasn’t ended his career; those who know him are aware that he still has goals,” Mourinho stated emphatically.
Kelechi Iheanacho was on target as Bursaspor played out a 1-1 draw against Antalyaspor in their TFF 1. Lig encounter on Friday night.
The Nigeria international had previously scored in 12 consecutive league matches for Bursaspor before his remarkable scoring run came to an end against Bandırmaspor last weekend
Iheanacho restored his scoring touch by opening the scoring against Antalyaspor in the 26th minute.
However, an own goal from Tural Bayramov brought the visitors level before the half-time break.
The striker has now recorded an impressive 17 goals and four assists in 14 league appearances for Bursaspor this season.
Despite dropping points, Bursaspor remain top of the league standings with 37 points
England manager Thomas Tuchel has left Cole Palmer and Phil Foden out of his latest squad for the final Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.
However, Jobe Bellingham and Fulham midfielder Josh King have received their first senior call-ups.
Tuchel said Palmer had missed too many opportunities to represent England, despite scoring five goals and providing three assists for Chelsea this season.
Jobe Bellingham joins his elder brother, Jude, in the squad after impressing at Borussia Dortmund.
King also earns his first call-up following a strong start to the season, with two goals and one assist in the Premier League.
Defender Ben White returns to the squad for the first time since March, while Declan Rice is also back after missing the previous camp through injury.
Djed Spence has also returned after recovering from injury.
England will host Croatia at Wembley on November 12 before travelling to Madrid to face Spain three days later.
Tuchel’s side are second in Group A4, three points behind leaders Spain. The top two teams will qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals.
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