Mo Salah’s former team-mate collapses on pitch after ‘heart stopped for more than an hour’ as match is suspended
EGYPTIAN football star Ahmed Refaat is in hospital after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest on the pitch.
The forward collapsed with two minutes remaining of Modern Future FC’s Egyptian Premier League clash with Ittihad on Monday night.
The match was immediately suspended after the severity of Refaat’s condition became clear and he was promptly taken to the hospital.
Reefat’s heart stopped for an hour but he’s miraculously managed to survive the ordeal.
And the 30-year-old – a former team-mate of Liverpool hitman Mohamed Salah- is currently being monitored in intensive care.
A club statement read: “Ahmed Refaat’s heart stopped for more than an hour, despite all resuscitation attempts by the medical staff at Zamzam Hospital near the stadium before his heart rate improved gradually.
“However, his condition is still medically unstable, which prevents his transfer.
“Unless his health condition stabilises, the player will continue to receive treatment and undergo the necessary tests.
“The club are following the situation on a momentary basis from the hospital.
“And everyone will be updated immediately.
“We would like to call on the media to respect the player’s personal life as well as his health and ask the Egyptian football fans to pray for Ahmed Refaat to be safe and sound as soon as possible.”
Footage of Refaat’s collapse went viral on social media, prompting a slew of well wishes for the Egypt international.
One footie fan wrote on X: “Wishing him a full and speedy recovery.”
Another said: “Stay Strong Ahmed Refaat.”
One remarked: ” Praying for a full recovery and Prayers to his loved ones, in what has to be a difficult time to start this blessed month.”
Another chimed in: “Praying for the health and safety of Future FC winger Ahmed Refaat.”
Reefat has seven appearances for Egypt to his name, in which he’s scored two goals and provided one solitary assist.