“Salah may have the worst farewell in the history of Liverpool.”

Mo Salah is on track to stage one of the most disastrous farewells in Liverpool’s history, joining an infamous list of global football icons whose departures have been marked by failures and bitter moments. Since announcing his exit from the Reds this summer, the Egyptian forward has been relegated to the bench in both legs of the Champions League quarter-finals against Paris Saint-Germain and delivered a pathetic performance in the last match of the FA Cup, a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Manchester City.

Only a goalless draw in a Merseyside derby and a red card as a substitute against Manchester United separate him from a goodbye that could be considered the worst in Liverpool’s history. To understand how low it could be, one only needs to recall other farewells that have been marked by disappointment and failure.

Petr Čech, for example, seemed to have everything for a grand exit from Arsenal in 2019, with the club still competing in the Europa League and the FA Cup. However, after an early elimination in the Cup, Čech saw his last game end in a humiliating defeat in the Europa League final against Chelsea, the club where he would join as a director, in a match where he conceded four goals and ended a brilliant career in a melancholic manner.

Paolo Maldini, a legend of AC Milan, also did not have a peaceful farewell. Although he said goodbye with a crucial victory to secure qualification for the Champions League, a group of ultras from the club displayed hostile banners during his farewell lap, accusing him of disrespect. A bitter affront for one of the greatest captains in the history of football.

Paul Gascoigne, known for his genius and instability, had his final moment at Tottenham filled with drama and tragedy. After a brilliant season, he suffered a serious injury early in the FA Cup final in 1991, putting a premature end to his time at the club and the hope of winning the first title in seven years.

Cristiano Ronaldo did not escape an bitter farewell during his first spell at Manchester United. The 2-0 defeat against Barcelona in the 2009 Champions League final was marked by a lackluster performance and several contentious fouls, culminating in a red card. Nevertheless, Ronaldo fulfilled his promise to play in more finals, returning and leaving under better circumstances years later.

Robert Pires, an Arsenal icon, watched helplessly as he played his last Champions League final in 2006, substituted after just 18 minutes due to the expulsion of goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. Unable to look at Arsène Wenger or his teammates, he described that moment as the worst of his career, a goodbye without glory that contrasted sharply with his brilliant time at the Gunners.

Steven Gerrard, one of Liverpool’s greatest symbols, announced his departure in January, triggering a series of emotional matches that culminated in a farewell far below expectations. Amid defeats, a red card as a substitute against Manchester United, and a final game marked by a humiliating loss, Gerrard saw his departure marred by a lack of success and controversy.

Zinedine Zidane, despite announcing his retirement just before the 2006 World Cup, did not have a perfect farewell with Real Madrid, which finished mid-table in the league and without success in the domestic cups. His international farewell was marked by a goal in the World Cup final and the infamous red card following a clash with Materazzi, an image that has gone down in history.

Diego Maradona had a similarly tumultuous exit. From his last game for Barcelona, which ended in a bitter defeat and a red card following a brawl with several players, to his troubled stints at Napoli and Sevilla. With the Argentine national team, his farewell was marred by a doping scandal and a difficult qualification campaign for the 1994 World Cup, where his presence was not enough to prevent failure.

Now, Mo Salah seems poised to join this group of failed farewells. With Liverpool preparing to say goodbye to their Egyptian star, it remains to be seen whether he can avoid this unfortunate fate or if he will go down in history not for the goals he scored, but for the disastrous farewell he experienced. Time will tell if Salah will be remembered as a hero or as just another name on an unfortunate list of disastrous farewells in world football.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.