بعد جدل استبداله.. منتخب مصر يوضح سبب خروج محمد صلاح أمام إيران

The technical staff of the Egyptian national football team clarified the reason for substituting team captain Mohamed Salah during the match against Iran in the 2026 World Cup, following the controversy surrounding his exit from the field in the 57th minute and the fans' questions about his health condition.

Egypt's head coach Hossam Hassan stated that Mohamed Salah complained of pain in his hamstring during the match, prompting the technical staff to make the decision to substitute him to ensure his safety and prevent the injury from worsening.

He added that Ahmed Fattouh also felt pain in his hamstring, while defender Mohamed Abdel-Moneim suffered a bruise on his ankle. He confirmed that all three players would undergo medical examinations and scans under the supervision of the team's doctor, Dr. Mohamed Abu Al-Ala, to determine the extent of their injuries and establish an appropriate treatment plan.

Hossam Hassan explained that the medical staff would decide in the coming hours on the players' participation in upcoming matches, based on the results of the medical tests.

The Egyptian team secured a valuable draw with a score of 1-1 against Iran (on Saturday), securing a spot in the Round of 32 in second place with 5 points, behind Belgium on goal difference. Mohamed Salah sustained an injury in the match held at "Lumen Field."

Salah's exit in the 57th minute raised concerns among Egyptian fans, especially since the team captain left the field without clear indications of a serious injury, prompting many to question on social media the reasons for the decision, with speculations ranging from a muscle injury to the technical staff's desire to rest him.

Hossam Hassan's clarification aimed to put an end to these speculations, confirming that the substitution decision was made for medical and precautionary reasons after the player complained of pain in his hamstring during the match.

Mohamed Salah is a key pillar for the Egyptian national team, and his physical condition is of great concern before and during major tournaments, especially given his significant impact on the team's attacking performance.

Salah has previously suffered muscle injuries on several occasions during his career, the most notable being a hamstring injury that kept him out of several matches with his club and the Egyptian national team, making any physical complaint he experiences a matter of wide interest among fans and media.

The technical staff of the Egyptian national team hopes that the medical examinations will confirm that the captain's injury is not serious, allowing him to return quickly to participate in the remainder of the "Pharaohs'" journey in the 2026 World Cup, amid the team's ambitions to achieve positive results in the tournament.