Mohamed Salah turned 34 on Monday, coinciding with Egypt's World Cup date with Belgium. He no longer has the speed that once made him a frightening opponent.
What happened?
Mohamed Salah's history and status as a footballer feed into the idea that teams should be built around him. He requires a specific setup to shine, including players like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino at Liverpool.
Why it matters for Mohamed Salah
Without Salah, Anfield would never have dreamed of the impossible, and without him, Egypt would not have qualified for the World Cup since 1990. His presence is vital, but he can't do it all by himself.
What comes next?
Maybe it's just a coincidence, but Lionel Messi thrived as the loose forward in Qatar, where Argentina mastered 4-4-2. Egypt went with a similar shape in possession against Belgium, with Salah pushing up beside Omar Marmoush in attack.
In a Liverpool shirt last season, Salah was on the periphery in many games. He might argue that everything changing around him contributed to this, including the players behind and inside, as well as the relay of candidates doing the running.
Salah's relationships with his teammates were not there, and the plan of attack was re-centralized around Florian Wirtz, which did not work. This left Salah isolated, and with injuries to other players, it seemed like an obvious decision to try him as a center forward.
But Arne Slot thought otherwise, and in Seattle, Hossam Hassan sprang a surprise that involved three players, including Salah, switching positions. This did not prove to be a game where one side dominated, and the outcome was far from certain.
Mohamed Salah requires help from his teammates to shine, but he always has. He needs someone like Emam Ashour to be on point, Marwan Attia agitating beside him, and Mohamed Hany to spring forward from right back.
The conversation with Lionel Messi was similar until 2022, when he lifted the World Cup as Argentina's captain. It was his fifth attempt at winning the competition, and he is probably the greatest footballer to play the sport.
Yet until Argentina established a system and found the right teammates to support him, Messi fell short. The story acts as a reminder: even Messi needs help, and Mohamed Salah is no exception.
On his 34th birthday, Mohamed Salah coincidentally faced Belgium in the World Cup, and his performance was a testament to his enduring skill and adaptability. He may not be as fast as he once was, but he can still make a significant impact on the game.
As the World Cup progresses, it will be interesting to see how Mohamed Salah and Egypt perform, and whether they can make a deep run in the tournament. With the right teammates and strategy, Salah can still thrive and lead his team to success.
The World Cup date with Belgium was a significant test for Mohamed Salah and Egypt, and the outcome was far from certain. But with Salah's skill and experience, Egypt has a chance to make a statement in the tournament and prove themselves as a formidable team.
Mohamed Salah's speed may be declining, but his intelligence and vision on the field are still unparalleled. He can still make a significant impact on the game, and his teammates look up to him for inspiration and guidance.
As the tournament progresses, Mohamed Salah will be a key player to watch, and his performance will be crucial to Egypt's success. With his skill and experience, he can still lead his team to victory and make a deep run in the World Cup.