Queiroz has his say on Salah & Ronaldo debate

The Portuguese coach is in the unique position of having coached both players in his career.

Egypt manager Carlos Queiroz believes Mohamed Salah pips Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s best player.

Queiroz, who helped train a young Ronaldo during his time as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United, admits the forward ‘will be upset’ to hear his verdict.

The 68-year-old made this announcement ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, where he hopes Salah can replicate his Liverpool form to fire Egypt to a record eighth title in the competition.

“Probably you agree with me that in our team we have the best player on the planet at the moment,” said Queiroz at a press conference as per MEN.

“If my friend Cristiano Ronaldo listens to this, he will be upset!”

Can Salah make the difference for Egypt?

The former Real Madrid and Portugal boss is hopeful Egypt can go all the way in Cameroon, and he backed his captain Salah to make a difference.

“We are not going to AFCON to take a walk, we are going to win…and to do that we need a winning mentality,” Queiroz added.

“Mohamed Salah has that and he can instill that in the team. He is the best player in the world right now, and with that comes belief and confidence.

“We are a team, not one player. We build a team. But we build it with the best player in the world included, and that brings the right mentality into the team.”

Egypt begin their AFCON campaign in Group D against Nigeria on January 11 at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua. They’ll then face Guinea-Bissau on January 15 and Sudan on January 19.