Mohamed Salah is at the center of a football firestorm, and the drama is only getting hotter. As the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) approaches, the Egyptian superstar finds himself under siege in England, with Liverpool legends and pundits lining up to take shots at his recent behavior. But back home in Egypt, it’s a different story,one of blind loyalty and over-the-top adulation, as the nation scrambles to defend their hero at all costs.

In the UK, the knives are out. Jamie Carragher, Wayne Rooney, and Michael Owen have all piled on, branding Salah “disrespectful” and warning that he’s “ruining his legacy” at Liverpool. The trigger? Salah’s shock exclusion from Liverpool’s Champions League squad,a move that’s being spun as proof of a deepening rift between the player and the club. The British media is having a field day, painting Salah as a diva who’s lost touch with the values that made him a fan favorite.

Meanwhile, in Egypt, the Salah PR machine is in overdrive. As the national team gears up for AFCON, the message is clear: Salah can do no wrong. Ahmed Hassan ‘Kouka’ took to social media with a melodramatic post, insisting that Salah is in the same league as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and should never be benched. “Players like that don’t get benched,” Kouka declared, calling Liverpool’s decision “disrespectful” and rallying the team to stand by their “brother, leader, and legend.”

It’s not just Kouka. Egypt’s head coach Hossam Hassan posted a staged photo with Salah, gushing about his “perseverance and strength.” Other national team players chimed in with generic praise, calling Salah “the greatest legend” and “always the best.” The Egyptian camp is circling the wagons, determined to shield Salah from any criticism,no matter how justified.

This orchestrated show of support comes at a critical juncture for Salah. The football world has seen it all before: a superstar’s relationship with his club unravels in public, with both sides trading barbs and the media fanning the flames. From Roy Keane’s infamous Manchester United exit to Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive interviews, these sagas rarely end well. Is Salah heading down the same path?

At Liverpool, the mood is shifting. While Salah’s last contract standoff saw fans rally to his side, this time there’s a sense of betrayal. Some supporters are questioning whether Salah still understands what it means to play for the club. As one commentator put it, “He’ll be remembered as a legend, but will he still be loved?” The answer is far from clear.

For Salah, AFCON is a convenient escape. The tournament gives him a chance to remind everyone of his talent,and maybe shop himself to other clubs in the process. With his Liverpool future in doubt, Salah has every incentive to put on a show in Morocco and prove his critics wrong. But let’s not forget: for all his club success, Salah has never won the Africa Cup of Nations. The pressure is on, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Jamie Carragher summed it up: “He’s the greatest player Egypt has ever had, but he’s never won the AFCON.” The message is clear,Salah’s legacy is on the line, both at home and abroad. Will he rise to the occasion, or will this latest controversy define his career?

As Egypt heads into AFCON, the country is united behind Salah, refusing to acknowledge any fault or criticism. But while the Egyptian media and fans are busy rewriting the narrative, the rest of the football world is watching closely. For Salah, the next few weeks could make,or break,his reputation. Stay tuned.