Mohamed Salah leads heartfelt tributes as Liverpool star loses teammate at just 31

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has paid a touching tribute following the sudden death of an Egyptian teammate. Ahmed Refaat, who was only 31, tragically passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning.

His football career spanned over a decade, playing in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. His most recent club, Modern Sport, based in Cairo, confirmed that he had been rushed to hospital and, shortly after, Egyptian media reported his untimely passing.

As the news broke across the country, Salah took to social media to share a picture of Refaat along with a heartfelt message. It read: "May God grant patience to his family and all his loved ones."

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The former winger's health issues were linked back to a cardiac arrest he suffered on the pitch during an Egyptian Premier League match on March 11 this year. Following the incident, he was put into an induced coma for nine days.

Just last week, he informed the media that due to his health concerns, he would never be able to play football again. Refaat had represented both his youth and senior national teams, making seven appearances for the latter, one of which was alongside Liverpool's No. 11.

The Egyptian Football Association also expressed their condolences, stating that everyone associated with the governing body will "mourn Ahmed Refaat, the player of the national team and Modern Sport Club, praying to God Almighty to have mercy on him and inspire his family and relatives with patience and solace. To God we belong and to Him we shall return."