Egypt FA president Hani Abu Rida holds positive talks with Mohammed Salah in Turkey

Egyptian Football Association president Hani Abu Rida has held a meeting with national team captain Mohamed Salah in Turkey as efforts continue to strengthen relations between the Liverpool forward and the Pharaohs’ technical handlers.

The meeting took place during Abu Rida’s visit to Turkey, where he attended Trabzonspor’s 2-0 victory over Gaziantep before meeting Salah at a dinner gathering.

The discussions reportedly centred on the Egyptian national team, with Abu Rida using the opportunity to reaffirm the country’s appreciation for the 33-year-old forward and his importance to the national setup.

The FA president also assured Salah of the strong support he continues to enjoy from Egyptian football supporters, encouraging him to maintain his leadership role as the country prepares for its upcoming international assignments.

The meeting is seen as an important step towards strengthening relations following previous concerns surrounding Salah’s relationship with the national team setup.

Both parties reportedly had an open discussion, allowing them to address outstanding issues and clarify their respective positions.

The intervention comes after national team manager Ibrahim Hassan publicly acknowledged Salah’s importance to the Egyptian national team, describing him as a professional player whose experience and mentality remain highly valued by the technical staff.

Meanwhile, head coach Hossam Hassan is also expected to play a key role in maintaining a positive relationship with the Liverpool star, with the former Egyptian striker understood to appreciate the influence and status of leading players.

Salah remains one of Egypt’s most influential football figures, having established himself as an international star through his achievements at club and national team levels.

Following the meeting, there is optimism that the forward will join the next Egyptian national team camp in a positive atmosphere as the Pharaohs continue their preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Egypt are scheduled to face Malawi in a double-header in November, with the first encounter set to take place in Cairo before the return fixture away from home.