The Africa Cup of Nations has once again become a stage of heartbreak for Mohamed Salah, leaving fans and critics alike wondering: Will he ever lift the continental trophy? The Liverpool star, who has conquered every major club honor, finds himself in a familiar yet agonizing position after Senegal’s Sadio Mané outshone him in the 2025 Afcon semi-final. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Salah’s international drought a matter of fate, or is there more to this recurring story? Let’s dive in.
On a tense Wednesday night in Tangier, Morocco, Salah watched in disbelief as Mané’s powerful strike 12 minutes from time sealed Senegal’s 1-0 victory, booking their spot in the final. For Salah, this defeat wasn’t just another loss—it was a painful reminder of past encounters where Mané has been the architect of Egypt’s downfall. From the 2021 Afcon final to the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Mané has consistently been the thorn in Salah’s side, leaving the Egyptian talisman’s dream of continental glory unfulfilled.
But here’s the part most people miss: Despite their professional rivalry, Salah and Mané share a history as former Liverpool teammates, though reports suggest their relationship was less than warm. Mané’s post-match comments reflected this complexity: ‘It is not easy for him, but still best of luck. He did everything to carry his team until now. Unfortunately, one of us had to lose. I’m happy to be in the final.’ This dynamic adds a layer of intrigue to their on-field battles, raising questions about the psychological toll of such repeated setbacks.
For Salah, this tournament was supposed to be different. At 33, he arrived in Morocco with a renewed sense of purpose, openly declaring his hunger for the Afcon title. ‘Nobody, even in Egypt, wants to win this trophy more than me,’ he stated after the quarter-final win against Ivory Coast. Yet, Egypt’s performance in the semi-final was timid and uninspiring, relying too heavily on Salah’s individual brilliance rather than collective teamwork. This is a recurring theme in Egypt’s Salah era—a team often criticized for its negativity and over-reliance on their star player.
And this is the part that sparks debate: Is Salah’s legacy as Egypt’s greatest player enough, or will his career feel incomplete without the Afcon trophy? Former Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel believes Salah’s club success should not overshadow his international pursuit: ‘He has won everything at club level, but everyone wanted him to win this title.’ Meanwhile, ex-Morocco midfielder Hassan Kachloul warns that time is running out: ‘He will try again in two years, but there won’t be many more chances.’
Salah’s future with Egypt remains uncertain. While he could theoretically feature in the 2027 and 2028 editions, his age and uncertain long-term future at Liverpool cast doubt on his Premier League talisman status in future tournaments. After a public outburst at Elland Road last month, questions linger about his focus and commitment.
As Salah prepares to face Nigeria in the third-place playoff before returning to Liverpool, one can’t help but wonder: Will this be his last shot at Afcon glory? Or will he follow in the footsteps of Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez and call it quits on international football’s biggest stage? What do you think? Is Salah’s Afcon dream destined to remain unfulfilled, or will he find a way to rewrite his story? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation that’s sure to divide opinions.
