Liverpool star Mohamed Salah denied Olympics opening ceremony role! Egypt forced to change plans after talisman ruled out of Paris Games

The 32-year-old forward is a talismanic presence for his country – on and off the football field. He captains the Pharaohs at senior international level and had been included in plans for Olympic events in 2021 and 2024.

Three players over the age of 23 can be selected in Olympic squads. Egypt hoped to have Salah in their plans for a trip to Tokyo, only to see Liverpool refuse to sanction said selection, and history has repeated itself three years on.

As a result, with Salah accepting that he will form part of pre-season at Anfield under new Reds boss Arne Slot, Egypt are having to draw up alternative plans when it comes to carrying their flag into Paris. Yasser Idris, head of Egypt's Olympic committee, has told DMC: “The flag bearer shouldn't only be a football player, Salah is an exception due to his popularity in the country and worldwide and that's why we were planning for him to do the honours if he was present. Now it will be Sarah Samir (weightlifter) and Ahmed Gendi (modern pentathlon) because they both have won Olympic medals in the past.”

Egypt have found it difficult to fill places in their squad, with their national league ongoing. Clubs are refusing to release stars as a result, with ex-Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny being called upon as one overage player in the absence of Liverpool superstar Salah.