While most Uruguayans are doubtless hoping Mohamed Salah is not able to play in Egypt’s opening World Cup match and their side, Luis Suarez is not one of them.
The Egyptian ace faces a race against time to be fit for the tournament after he fell badly on his shoulder during Liverpool’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday.
If the injury is a bad as some fear then Salah’s absence would be a huge blow to the Pharaohs’ chances of making it out of Group A, where they face Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Suarez and Co. in their opening match on June 15.
But the Uruguay striker hopes Salah is well enough to play in the Yekaterinburg clash, and has wished Egypt’s star man well in his battle for fitness.
“When a colleague is injured and more in the type of match where he got injured, prior to his debut in a World Cup, it is difficult and complicated to be in the situation he now finds himself,” Suarez told a press conference.
“When I play, I want the best opponents in front of me to show that Uruguay are better, not for our rival to be better, but for Uruguay to win against the best.”
Four years ago the Barcelona striker himself faced a battle to be fit for the Brazil World Cup and said he did not want to see a fellow player miss out on playing on the biggest footballing stage of them all.
“He is in a situation that I went through four years ago, so I don’t wish it on anyone. That’s why I would like Salah to recover so that he can enjoy the World Cup which is going to be incredible," Suarez said.
Salah jetted out to Spain for treatment on Sunday with the Egyptian federation confirming the 25-year-old was in “high spirits” and “determined to return quickly to the ranks of the team.”
Luis Suarez wants Mohamed Salah to be fit enough to face Uruguay in Egypt’s opening World Cup clash
Luis Suarez wants Mohamed Salah to be fit enough to face Uruguay in Egypt’s opening World Cup clash
- Suarez wants Uruguay to face teams at full strength in Russia.
- Barcelona striker faced similar fitness battle ahead of Brazil World Cup four years ago.
Historic FIFAe Finals 25 conclude with France crowned world’s best nation in Rocket League
- FIFAe Finals 25 took place from Dec. 10-19 in Riyadh
- France crowned champions of the FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League
RIYADH: The FIFAe Finals 25 concluded on Friday as France were crowned champions at the FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League, closing out eight days of football esports competition and entertainment in Riyadh.
The French team, consisting of Zen, Vatira and Juicy, delivered a standout performance from the group stage to the final, combining exceptional skills, perfect team chemistry and nerves of steel in high-pressure moments.
The competition marked the grand conclusion of the FIFAe Finals 25, the pinnacle event in football esports, bringing teams from around the world to challenge for multiple titles together under one roof.
With 250 matches across eight competition days, a $450,000 prize pool, millions tuning in online and record-breaking social media numbers, the event set new benchmarks in its 2025 edition.
“This year’s FIFAe Finals truly united the world by connecting the next generation of fans with the sport we all love. By creating the biggest global stage for national team–based football esports, we are shaping a new era of entertainment — one that combines national pride, competitive excellence and the universal passion for football and gaming,” said Mattias Grafstrom, FIFA secretary general.
“Congratulations to all world champions for their outstanding achievements in an unforgettable, spectacular atmosphere. As we continue to unite the entire football family, we encourage all our member associations, players, fans and stakeholders to join us in 2026 for an exciting new chapter.”
With 94 nations and millions of players on the Road to Riyadh, the FIFAe ecosystem demonstrated a new level of national team–based esports throughout the year. The season reached its climax at the SEF Arena in Riyadh.
The FIFAe Finals 25 concluded with three historic champions:
- Thailand: Champions of the FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball Mobile
- Poland: Champions of the FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball Console
- France: Champions of the FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League
