On Saturday, May 26, in the anticipated Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool, nothing garnered more attention, than the heartbreaking collision between Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos and the hailed Egyptian player, Mohamed Salah.

Salah’s arm caught under Ramos’s, and the two fell to the ground – Salah unable to disentangle himself with the Spaniard, falling awkwardly onto his arm and shoulder. 

He was removed from the field, injured and visibly shaken.  

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A dislocated shoulder the result of the stumble. 

Hysteria in Egypt broke out 

Fans feared the worst. 

The FIFA World Cup only weeks away – would their celebrated hero be out of action for the competition in Russia? 

Emotions ran high, and a hashtag began trending on social media across the Middle East – #SonOfADog – directed at Ramos. 

As the week unfolded, so too did the emotion of the game, and of the love of Salah – with one Egyptian lawyer announcing a law-suit against Ramos for psychological harm to a nation. 

Emotions within the Middle East are running high

But why is this the case? 

Well, if you look at the region’s sporting heroes or icons – they are few and far between. 

Where other nations, and regions have sporting heroes: South America has Lionel Messi, the US has LeBron James, Europe has Roger Federer, India has Virat Kohli, New Zealand has Dan Carter; it was only this year, Mohammed Salah’s star rose to this level – an icon and shining star of the Middle East. 

Yes, in each of these examples, there’s plenty of rivalry in the regions – and I’m sure many will have other suggestions and disputes over this list, but everyone is united in their respect for talents, and a feeling of patriotism is inspired by elite players coming from one’s home country. 

(It’s also worth noting that Saudi Arabia will be up against Egypt in this summer’s World Cup, but KSA is a football-mad nation, the rights to their local league were sold for US$1.8 billion; the EPL was at $5.41 billion.)

Salah’s rise to glory 

At just 25 years of age, Salah has scored 44 goals this season alone for Liverpool, culminating in the club’s first qualification for the Champions League final since 2009. 

He played, and helped Egypt qualify, for the World Cup, and attain victory in the African Nations Cup. 

Salah has become a symbol of Egypt, and of the Arabic world. He’s a practicing Muslim, praying, pointing and thanking God when celebrating a goal, he does fun interviews, and gives back to charity. 

He’s a poster-boy for the Middle East – with Liverpool fans singing positive songs about Islam, embracing and supporting the culture – chanting ‘I’ll be a Muslim too’.

The public outpouring 

The grief has been public, it has been emotional and it has been wide-ranging. 

Perhaps, if Egypt hadn’t gotten into the World Cup, the response wouldn’t have been as emotional and wide-ranging as it has been. 

But it’s representative of how much passion and belief rested on Salah and the entire Egypt squad – not having Salah in the game would likely see them fail to qualify for the group before it began. 

It may not have been a bad tackle – it could just be an unfortunate way of landing on the ground. 

No doubt Ramos is cunning, but you don’t become a world-class football player and defender without knowing how to handle yourself. 

It could have been an accident. 

It’s not the first time a single player has been blamed for an entire nation’s sporting loss 

In 2009, Ireland played against France in a World Cup playoff in Dublin. The score was even, and going into overtime; the winner to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. 

A player for France, Thierry Henry, in the final minutes, swept a goal in for France, using his hand – however the officials failed to sport it – and the goal stood. Ireland was out of contention for the World Cup. 

Que hysteria. 

Irish fans remember the incident – feeling their sporting heroes had been robbed. Similar to Egyptians this week, even moreso however as their beloved forward might not even get his chance to play. 

We need more Mo Salah’s from this region 

There have been studies to show the correlation between a nation’s sporting success and increased consumer confidence, therefore improved economic performance. 

It definitely happened in my youth, Ireland was in severe depression in the 1980s, but after a remarkable maiden World Cup in Italy in 1990, (in the end going out to the hosts in the 1/4 finals) saw an economic boost.

The nation found it’s pride, and with it, saw it through to the Celtic Tiger Boom. 

Egypt is on a slow recovery, with tourism doubling in 2017, but more is needed. 

And with players like Mohamed Salah on a global stage, showing the world the best side of this region, it can only get better. 

Go Mo Salah, we’re all cheering for you.