Gary Neville has expressed his sadness that neither Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah will play in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Salah isn’t at the FIFA competition because Egypt failed to qualify for the tournament. The African side fell at the last hurdle of qualification after losing on penalties to Senegal.
And it was a penalty from Salah's former Liverpool team-mate Mane that ultimately knocked Egypt out of the running. The Anfield icon also missed his spot-kick in the shootout.
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But Mane has since been ruled out of the tournament after being unable to recover from injury picked up while playing for Bayern Munich. He suffered a knee injury in his side’s 6-1 win over Werder Bremen earlier this month.
“Massive lose in Mane (for Senegal),” Neville told ITV. “I am sad that Mane’s not here. I really am. I feel like a tournament without him, even Salah, to be fair, from that point of view. You want to see the best players in the world in the tournament.”
Taking to Instagram after his World Cup absence was revealed, Mane wrote: "Many of you sent me messages of support following my injury. Thank God the midweek operation went well.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank you all and show my appreciation. This Monday, our dear country will compete in the World Cup, Qatar 2022. I am sure that the Lions will transcend themselves and will approach all matches as a real final.
"I am also convinced that all Senegalese will be in front of the small screen to support and encourage our valiant national team.
"Like all fans of the Lair, I am convinced that my teammates will fight as one man and as they usually do in order to honor our dear. Long live Senegal, Come on."
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