Mohamed Salah leaves England for Trabzonspor training in Turkey

Mohamed Salah has left England and travelled to Turkey to join Trabzonspor’s training camp ahead of the next stage of the season.

The move follows his departure from the Egypt squad during the current international break. The Egyptian Football Association previously explained that Salah would be rested for the team’s match against South Sudan because of the playing surface.

According to a statement from the Egyptian FA, Hossam Hassan decided not to select Salah for the game because the pitch had a “tartan” surface. The decision had been agreed between the coaching staff and the player before Egypt’s match against Angola, with the management choosing to protect him.

Salah was replaced after 60 minutes of Egypt’s goalless draw with Angola in the qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Zizo came on in his place.

Egypt are scheduled to play South Africa in a friendly on 4 October, in the final match of the current international window.

Hossam Hassan said before the South Sudan match that there was no disagreement between the national team and Salah, while stressing the player’s importance to the squad.

“I respect all the players, led by Mohamed Salah,” Hassan said. “He is an important and influential player, one of the key members of the team, a great player and an important figure for us. He is one of the best players in the world.”

He added: “We preferred to rest Salah because of the artificial-grass surface. He had spoken to me about the matter before the Angola match, and we agreed.”

Hassan also said that Salah’s request to miss the match had been made before he travelled to Turkey, because of concerns over the pitch.

“There is no problem with Mohamed Salah,” he said. “His request to be excused from the South Sudan match was made while he was in Turkey because he was concerned about the playing surface. He will be with us normally in the next period, starting with the next international friendly.”

Salah has made 24 appearances under Hossam Hassan, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists.