Salah has the last word as Pre-Match taunt backfires

What began as a cheeky pre-match provocation quickly turned into a viral lesson in footballing humility after Egypt’s 3–1 victory over Benin.

Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations clash, the Benin Football Association posted a photo on social media depicting Mohamed Salah being “whipped” by a Benin player, a graphic that was widely interpreted as a symbolic warning to Egypt’s talisman. The image spread rapidly online, sparking debate and drawing mixed reactions from fans across the continent, with many questioning the decision of poking one of Africa’s most decisive players before kickoff.

On the pitch, Salah responded in the only language he knows best. The Liverpool star delivered a masterclass performance, scoring once and providing an assist as Egypt asserted their authority and booked a comfortable 3–1 win. Calm, ruthless and influential, Salah was central to everything the Pharaohs did well, turning the pre-match noise into background static.

The story did not end with the final whistle. In a moment that reignited the online conversation, Salah’s sister, Rabab, shared a post flipping the original narrative. Her image showed Salah now doing the “whipping,” this time aimed at a Benin player, a tongue-in-cheek response that quickly went viral and was celebrated by Egyptian supporters.

What was intended as psychological gamesmanship before kickoff ultimately backfired. By full time, the message was clear. Mohamed Salah does not need words, images or social media posts to answer his critics. He lets his football speak, and once again, it spoke loudly.