Russia may be many miles away from home for Mohamed Elneny, but having Mohamed Salah’s familiar face alongside him will certainly make him feel more relaxed during this summer’s World Cup.

The duo kick-started their senior careers alongside each other at El Mokawloon, before reuniting once again at Basel - and it’s safe to say that their relationship has only gone from strength to strength since.

“I was playing for Al Ahly and he came to the club to see me,” Elneny told Arsenal Player.

“He’s a wonderful personal. A year later, I went to El Mokawloon. He became my close friend there, then we became best friends.

“He’s a great person that you love to know. I’m happy to have been with him since the beginning and he has not changed in nine years. This makes anyone happy.”