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Football

15th Jun 2018

Diego Godin did not appreciate question about Mohamed Salah

He was visibly irritated

Darragh Murphy

Diego Godin definitely falls into the same category of defenders as Sergio Ramos.

But Godin has both denied that he will target Mohamed Salah in Uruguay’s World Cup group opener against Egypt and that Ramos meant to injure the Liverpool forward during last month’s Champions League final.

Salah was left in a race against time to return to fitness ahead of the World Cup after he injured his left shoulder in a much-discussed tussle with Ramos in Kiev.

Ramos was accused of intentionally attempting to take Liverpool’s talisman out of the game, a claim which the Real Madrid centre-half vehemently denies, and Godin also rejects suggestions that he could take a similarly physical approach to dealing with Salah when Uruguay meet Egypt on Friday afternoon.

“That is a very inopportune question,” a visibly annoyed Godin responded when asked if Uruguay’s defenders intended to throw their weight around with Salah.

“I don’t think it’s pertinent. I don’t think anyone has bad will or tries to deliberately injure a player. These things happen in football unfortunately.”

Salah was effectively wrapped in cotton wool in recent weeks in order to ensure that he will be able to take to the pitch for his country.

And his recovery has seemingly been successful as Egypt manager Hector Cuper revealed that Salah should be fit for the Group A clash.

“I can almost assure you 100 per cent he will play, save unforeseen circumstances at the very last minute,” said Cuper.

“He could become the top goalscorer here and one of the greatest players.”