Egypt face Belgium as Salah and De Bruyne renew Premier League rivalry
Premier League legends Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne will renew their iconic rivalry when Egypt face Belgium in their World Cup Group G opener in Seattle.
The two former top-flight superstars previously defined an era in English football with Liverpool and Manchester City respectively.
Now, the captains of their respective nations will lead their teams into battle in the north-west of the United States.
A defining domestic legacy
For years, the pair dominated the domestic landscape and hoovered up prestigious individual accolades.
The Egyptian forward amassed an astonishing 257 goals and 122 assists during his prolific spell at Anfield.
Meanwhile, the Belgian playmaker departed the Etihad Stadium with 108 goals and 170 assists to his name.
The Stamford Bridge connection
Intriguingly, both global icons share a frustrating early career chapter at Chelsea.
Former manager Jose Mourinho showed a notorious reluctance to start either player, leading to their premature departures from west London.
The lightning-fast striker managed just two goals in blue, while the midfield maestro started only two league fixtures.
Defining an era of dominance
Their subsequent moves to rival northern powerhouses completely reshaped the modern landscape of the English game.
The prolific winger cemented himself as the undisputed talisman of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure on Merseyside.
Simultaneously, the creative genius established a reputation as arguably the finest footballer in Pep Guardiola’s City history.
This upcoming international showdown offers fans a nostalgic final duel between two of the game’s modern greats.
