Mohamed Salah mourns death of Egyptian footballer Ahmed Refaat

Egyptian football is in mourning after international player Ahmed Refaat died at the age of 31 due to complications following a heart attack he suffered four months ago during a match.

Refaat's club Modern Future FC made the announcement over the weekend, saying: "Modern Future FC announces the death of Ahmed Refaat, first team and Egyptian national team player, as a result of a serious deterioration in his health.

"He was transferred to the hospital after an uphill journey of struggle following the health crisis that occurred on March 11, 2024."

Refaat, who played as a winger and represented his country seven times, suffered a heart attack in March during a league match against Al-Ittihad Alexandria.

He was rushed to hospital, resuscitated and placed in intensive care for close to a month. He was then fitted with a pacemaker and allowed to leave the hospital with further medical tests scheduled.

Last month, Refaat said in a television interview that he was feeling better. A few days before his death, he had also visited his club team-mates.

Tributes poured in after the news of Refaat's death.

Egypt captain and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah paid tribute to his teammate. "May God continue to bless his family and all his loved ones," Salah wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe sent his condolences to Refaat's family and the football community in Egypt.

البقاء لله وربنا يصبر أهله وكل حبايبه