Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy will miss this year’s World Cup after picking a knee injury in Zamalek’s Egyptian Premier League defeat by Al Ittihad last Thursday.
The 26-year-old keeper injured his anterior cruciate ligament and was forced off the match.
Pharaoh’s team doctor, Mohamed Abu El Ela, confirmed the news to BBC Sport.
‘El Shenawy had a medical examination which showed he will not be able to play in the next World Cup as he has an anterior cruciate ligament injury,’ Abu El Ela declared.
Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shenawy suffers knee injury and will miss the World Cup.
— Football 24/7 (@foetball247) 16 April 2018
He picked up a knee injury in Zamalek's league match against Al Ittihad #Russia2018 pic.twitter.com/cNmsNrn5fV
“This is my fate and I accept it” – El Shenawy
After undergoing medical examinations, the goalkeeper took to social media to reveal his injury woes.
‘I want to thank Allah for everything, this is my fate and I accept it,’ El Shenawy tweeted.
‘This injury is a test from Allah, the anterior cruciate ligament injury was confirmed and I will travel to Germany soon for treatment. I need a prayer from all of you,’ he added.
باقي الفحوصات والاطمئنان علي حجم اصابة الرباط الصليبي
— Ahmed El-Shenawy (@ElShenawy) 15 April 2018
اخيرا الف حمد وشكر ليك يارب وقدر الله وماشاء فعل واخيرا اتمني منكم الدعاء ..والتوفيق لنادي الزمالك وجمهوره العظيم ..ومنتخب مصر في كأس العالم..واهلي وشعب بلدي بورسعيد pic.twitter.com/UDggcV4HuZ
Support messages for El Shenawy
Egypt internationals including Mohamed Salah, Ramandan Sobhi and Ahmed Hegazi sent support messages to El Shenawy.
Come back stronger.💪🏼🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/mWwHWXTcKx
— Mohamed Salah (@22mosalah) 15 April 2018
الف سلامة يا شنووو 😔❤️ pic.twitter.com/7jR6NWNXDT
— Ramadan Sobhi (@RamadanSobhi) 15 April 2018
الف سلامه عليك يا شينو و خلي عندك ثقه و ايمان و اراده انك هترجع احسن من الاول ان شاء الله و كلنا مستنينك و متقلقش مش اخر كاس عالم ان شاء الله 💪 @ElShenawy ❤️❤️❤️ #getwellsoonshenooo❤️ pic.twitter.com/3gqHwZt1uL
— Ahmed hegazi (@Hegazi) 15 April 2018
I am very sad to hear this bad news, but you are strong and feel comfortable with difficult situations , get well soon my brother 😞🙏🏼@ElShenawy pic.twitter.com/3YEitB5VlK
— Karim Hafez (@karimhafez23) 15 April 2018
El Hadary’s chance
El Shenawy’s absence from the World Cup in Russia, consolidates the chances of 45-year-old stopper Essam El Hadary, who could become the oldest man to play at a World Cup.
The other goalkeeping option for Egypt is Al Ahly’s 29-year-old Mohamed El-Shenawy.
The Pharaohs have been drawn in World Cup’s Group A along with Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.