Tunisia goalkeeper Mouez Hassen has taken to social media to pay tribute to his coach Nabil Maaloul after injury prematurely ended the stopper's World Cup.
Hassen was a surprise pick to start the Carthage Eagles' opener against England, but lasted just 16 minutes before being replaced after picking up a shoulder injury.
On Wednesday, it was confirmed that the stopper's tournament was over, although the goalkeeper has taken to Twitter to thank Maaloul for allowing him to realise a lifelong dream.
"Coach, thank you to you to have allowed me to realise a dream for any footballer, which is to play in the most beautiful competition with the national team," he wrote on his @hassen_mouez handle.
"Without you, [Tunisia] would never have arrived at this stage of the competition," he added. "A big thank you, Nabil Maaloul."
Coach merci à vous de m'avoir permis d'accéder à un rêve pour tout footballeur qui est de jouer la plus belle compétition avec l'équipe nationale qui sans vous ne serait arrivée à ce stade de la compétition un grand merci @NabilMaaloul mais je vous dit à bientôt... inchallah pic.twitter.com/QoqrJaMcJx
- Mouez Hassen (@hassen_mouez) June 21, 2018
Hassen's injury occurred when he collided with England's Jesse Lingard.
He was replaced by Farouk Ben Mustapha, rather than nominal No. 1 Aymen Mathlouthi, as the Eagles were defeated 2-1.
French-born Hassen switched his international allegiance to Tunisia earlier this year and made his international debut in March. He had previously played for France at U-21 level.
The North Africans continue their World Cup campaign against Belgium in Moscow on Saturday.