Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly(Egyptian Arabic:مُحَمَّد صَلَاح حَامِد مَحْرُوس غَالِي,pronounced[mæˈħam.mædsˤɑˈlɑːħˈɣæːli];born 15 June 1992), known asMohamed SalahorMo Salah, is an Egyptian professionalfootballerwho plays as aright wingerorforwardforLiverpoolandcaptainstheEgypt national team. Widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation, one of the greatest African players of all-time, and one of the greatest wingers in the history of the sport, he is known for his clinical finishing, dribbling, speed, and playmaking abilities.
Salah began his senior career in 2010 atAl-Mokawloon, departing in 2012 to joinBasel, where he won twoSwiss Super Leaguetitles. In 2014, he joinedChelseafor a reported fee of £11 million, but limited gametime led to successiveloanstoFiorentinaandRoma, who later signed him permanently for €15 million. In the2016–17 season, Salah was a key figure in Roma's unsuccessful title bid, reaching double figures in both goals and assists. In 2017, Salah moved to Liverpool for £36.9 million, a club record at the time. In hisfirst season, he set the record for most Premier League goals scored (32) in a 38-game season and helped Liverpool to the2018 UEFA Champions League final. Having formed a formidable attacking trio withRoberto FirminoandSadio Mané, Salah went on to be an integral player in the club'sChampions LeagueandPremier Leaguetitle successes in the following two seasons. He has since also won theFA Cup,EFL Cup,FA Community Shield,UEFA Super Cupand theFIFA Club World Cup.
Salah has achieved numerous individual accolades, including twoPFA Players' Player of the Yearawards, threePremier League Golden Boots, thePremier League Player of the Season, thePremier League Playmaker of the Season, finished third for theBest FIFA Men's Playerin2018and2021, and finished fifth in the2019and2022Ballon d'Or, respectively. He received the2018 FIFA Puskás Awardfor his winning strike in the firstMerseyside derbyof the2017–18season. In 2023, Salah became Liverpool's all-time Premier League top goalscorer, and also became the fifth player to score 200 goals for the club.
At international level, Salah represented Egypt at youth level before making his senior debut in 2011. Following his performances at the2012 Summer Olympics, he was namedCAF Most Promising African Talentof the Year. Since then, he finished as runner-up in the2017and2021 Africa Cup of Nations, and was top scorer duringCAF qualificationas Egypt qualified for the2018 FIFA World Cup. Salah was namedCAF African Footballer of the Year(2017 and 2018),BBC African Footballer of the Year(2017 and 2018), and was selected in the2017 Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament,2021 Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournamentand theCAF Team of the Yearon several occasions.
Salah is regarded as a symbol of national pride in Egypt for his achievementsand was named inTimemagazine's list of the100 Most Influential Peoplein 2019.Salah has also been credited for raising the profile of Liverpool among Egyptians.
Salah started out playing for the youth setups of local teams Ittihad Basyoun and Othmason Tanta.He namesRonaldo,Zinedine ZidaneandFrancesco Tottias his childhood idols.In 2006, he joined the youth team ofAl Mokawloon Al Arabaged 14 after being spotted by a scout who had originally come to watch another child play but was distracted by Salah.Salah frequently had to miss school to make the three-hour journey to training.When Salah was 15 he was noticed by then first-team managerMohamed Radwan, who moved him to the first-team squad immediately. Salah had to be given a special diet and training program due to his muscles not being fully formed because of his young age.
Salah made his first-team debut on 3 May 2010 in theEgyptian Premier League, coming on as a substitute in a 1–1 away draw againstEl Mansoura.During the2010–11 seasonSalah continued earning minutes on the pitch, eventually becoming a regular in the team.Even though he was getting regular game time, Salah struggled to score. In the dressing room after matches he would sometimes be in tears because of this, and Radwan says it only motivated him to become better.He scored his first goal for them on 25 December 2010 in a 1–1 away draw againstAl Ahly.He remained a regular for Al Mokawloon, appearing in every game of the2011–12 season.Following thePort Said Stadium rioton 1 February 2012, the Egyptian Premier League was suspended, and on 10 March, theEgyptian Football Associationannounced their decision to cancel the remainder of the season.
Swiss Super LeagueclubBaselhad been monitoring Salah for some time,so following the Egyptian Premier League suspension, the club organised afriendlymatch with theEgypt national under-23 team.The match took place on 16 March at theStadion RankhofinBasel, and despite only playing the second half, Salah scored twice, helping the Egyptians to a 4–3 win.Basel subsequently invited Salah to remain in the city for a week's training. On 10 April 2012, it was announced that Salah had signed for Basel on a four-year contract starting from 15 June 2012.He initially found it difficult to settle, having arrived unable to speak the language and been signed as a replacement forXherdan Shaqiri.Salah scored on his unofficial debut on 23 June 2012 againstFCSBduring a friendly match, a 4–2 defeat.He made his official Basel debut in aUEFA Champions Leaguepreliminary stage match against the Norwegian clubMoldeon 8 August, coming on as a substitute in the 74th minute.He made his league debut on 12 August againstThun, playing the full match.
He scored his first league goal a week later, the second goal in a 2–0 home win againstLausanne-Sport.Salah scored his firstUEFA Europa Leaguegoal in the quarter-finals on 11 April 2013, as Basel advanced to the semi-finals by beatingTottenham Hotspur4–1 in apenalty shoot-outafter a 4–4aggregatedraw.In the semi-final on 2 May, Salah scored away toChelsea, although Basel were beaten 5–2 on aggregate.Despite late disappointment in Europe, Basel won the2012–13 Swiss Super Leaguetitleand finished runners-up in theSwiss Cup.
Ahead of the2013–14 Swiss Super Leagueseason, Salah was a member of the Basel team that won the 2013Uhrencup.Salah scored in his first league appearance of the season againstAarauon 13 July 2013.He scored his first Champions League goal a month later againstMaccabi Tel Avivon 6 August 2013 in thethird qualifying round.Salah was the subject of major controversy following the game, after he appeared to deliberately avoid shaking hands with the players of the Israeli club in both the home and away legs.
He scored twice against theBulgarian leaguechampionsPFC Ludogorets Razgradon 21 August 2013 in theplay-off round.On 18 September 2013, Salah scored the equaliser against Chelsea in the 2–1 away win during thegroup stage. During the return tie on 26 November atSt. Jakob-Park, Salah scored the winning goal as Basel beat Chelsea for the second time with a 1–0 home win.However, he was unable to prevent Basel being eliminated in the group stage.
On the domestic stage, Salah continued to perform. Scoring four goals in 18 games,including a double against title rivalsYoung Boys,he helped Basel win the league title for the fifth time in a row.
On 23 January 2014, it was announced that Salah would leave Basel.During his time with the club, Salah played a total of 95 games for Basel, scoring a total of 21 goals. 47 of these games were in the Swiss Super League, six in theSwiss Cup, 26 in UEFA competitions (Champions League and Europa League) and 16 were friendlies. He scored nine goals in the domestic league, four in the cup, seven in European matches and the other was scored during a friendly.
On 23 January 2014,Premier Leagueclub Chelsea announced that a deal had been agreed with Basel to sign Salah for a fee reported to be in the region of £11 million.Three days later the transfer was completed, making him the first Egyptian to sign for the London-based club.Liverpoolhad been interested in Salah, and had made an offer of £11 million but were beaten to his signature by Chelsea.
On 8 February, Salah made his debut for Chelsea in the Premier League, coming on as a substitute in the 3–0 win overNewcastle United.Seven games later, on 22 March, Salah scored his first goal for Chelsea againstArsenalin theLondon derby, coming on as a substitute forOscar, in a match which ended as a 6–0 home win.Then, on 5 April, Salah opened the scoring and later won a penalty and assisted the third goal in Chelsea's 3–0 win overStoke City.
Before the2014–15 season, Salah's future with Chelsea looked to be in doubt after reports suggested he could be forced to return to Egypt to carry outmilitary serviceafter his registration for an education scheme was rescinded by the Egyptian Minister of Higher Education.He was spared of military service after a meeting with the then Egyptian prime ministerIbrahim Mahlab, the Minister of Higher Education, and the Egypt national team managerShawky Gharieb.Salah changed squad numbers from 15 to 17 for the start of the season, with his new number having been vacated byEden Hazardchanging to number 10.
Salah was rarely used during the season, making just three Premier League, two Champions League and three cup appearances, failing to score in any of them. On 28 October 2014, after a poor performance in a 2–1 win awayLeague TwoteamShrewsbury Townin the fourth round of theLeague Cup, he and fellow wingerAndré Schürrlewere criticised publicly by managerJosé Mourinho.Although Salah only made three league appearances before hisloanmove toFiorentina, Mourinho stated that he would receive a replica winner's medal from the club for his contributions that season.
On the transfer deadline day, 2 February 2015, Chelsea confirmed that Salah would join Italian club Fiorentina on an 18-month loan until the end of the2015–16 season, as part of a transfer deal which sawJuan Cuadradomoving in the opposite direction. Six days after signing, he made his debut coming off the bench in the 65th minute as a replacement forJoaquínin a 3–2 home victory againstAtalantainSerie A.Salah chose the number 74 shirt in honour of the victims of the Port Said Stadium riot.
Salah made his first start for Fiorentina on 14 February againstSassuolo, scoring his first goal for the club in the 30th minute. He then provided an assist toKhouma Babacarjust two minutes after scoring; the match ended in a 3–1 win for Fiorentina.Twelve days later, Salah scored his first European goal for Fiorentina, as his side advanced to the round of sixteen of the Europa League, beating Tottenham 3–1 on aggregate.Salah scored the winning goal for Fiorentina againstInter Milanon 1 March, his third goal in Serie A.Four days after that, Salah scored both of Fiorentina's goals in their 2–1 win away toJuventusin theCoppa Italiasemi-final first leg.At the end of the season, Fiorentina activated an option to make the loan move permanent, but Salah refused the move. Even though the loan agreement was for 18 months, Salah refused to return to Fiorentina and instead joined fellow Serie A clubRoma.On 11 September, Fiorentina filed a complaint to FIFA, claiming that Chelsea had breached the agreed contract when they allowed Salah to join Roma on loan.TheCourt of Arbitration for Sportcleared Salah and Chelsea of any wrongdoing.
On 6 August 2015, Salah joined Roma on a season-long loan for €5 million; with the option to make the deal permanent,for a reported €15 million.He wore the number 11 shirt.He made his debut on 22 August, as the new season began with a 1–1 draw awayHellas Verona.On 20 September, Salah scored his first goal of the season against Sassuolo to help Roma salvage a point as the match ended in a 2–2 draw.He went on to score in his following two matches, a 2–1 loss againstSampdoriaand a 5–1 win againstCarpi.On 25 October, Salah scored the opener against his former club Fiorentina in a 2–1 away victory to help earn a fourth straight league win for Roma. On his return, Salah was also sent off after picking up a second yellow in the closing minutes of the match, just seconds after picking up his first yellow.On 4 November, he scored the opening goal of a 3–2Champions Leaguewin overBayer Leverkusen.
On 4 March, he faced his former side Fiorentina again and scored another double as Roma won 4–1 and broke into the top three.Salah would go onto score another three goals that season, scoring againstBologna,Genoa, andAC Milan, the latter on the final day.In the 2015–16 season, Salah scored 15 goals in 42 matches as Roma finished in third place in Serie A and qualified for the Champions League.In June, it was announced that Salah won the club's 2015–16 Player of the Season award.
On 3 August 2016, Roma announced the signing of Salah on a permanent deal for €15 million.He scored his first goal of the season in a 4–0 win overUdinesein the opening game of the season on 20 August.On 6 November, Salah scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Bologna, his first club careerhat-trick.However, a ruptured ankle ligament kept him out for the first half of December.He returned as a half-time substitute in a 1–0 defeat against title rivals Juventus on 17 December.Salah then endured a two-month period without a goal, he broke his drought on 19 February, scoring against Torino in a 4–1 win.On 9 March, he scored Roma's opening goal in an eventual 4–2 defeat toLyonin the first leg of theround of sixteenin the2016–17 Europa League.Despite winning the second leg 2–1, they were unable to turn the tie around and were knocked out 5–4 on aggregate.On 28 May, in the final game of the season, Salah was substituted forcaptainFrancesco Totti, who was playing his final game with the club, in a 3–2 win over Genoa.Roma finished the season in second, just four points behind champions Juventus.Salah scored 19 goals in all competitions.
On 22 June 2017, Salah agreed a transfer to Premier League club Liverpool. He signed a long-term contract with the Reds for an initial £36.5m fee that could rise to £43m.The fee was a club record, eclipsing the £35m spent onAndy Carrollin 2011.He was assigned the number 11 shirt previously worn byRoberto Firminowho instead switched to number 9.He joined the club on 1 July upon the opening of the summer transfer window, becoming Liverpool's first Egyptian player,and scored on his Premier League debut againstWatfordin a 3–3 away draw on 12 August.On 24 August, Salah scored his second goal for Liverpool, in a2017–18 Champions League play-off round4–2 win (6–3 agg) against1899 Hoffenheim, his first goal atAnfield.Three days later, Salah scored and assisted a goal in a 4–0 victory over Arsenal.For his performances in August, Salah was awarded Player of the Month by Liverpool supporters.On 17 October, Salah netted twice in a 7–0 Champions League win overMaribor, helping Liverpool to the joint-largest ever away win in the competition, and the largest away win by an English club.
On 26 November 2017, Salah scored the opener and refused to celebrate in a 1–1 home draw with his former team Chelsea out of respect for the club as well as victims of theSinai mosque attacktwo days earlier.Salah rose the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts by scoring twice after coming on as a substitute away at Stoke City on 29 November in a 3–0 win.The following month, Salah netted in a 4–0 win overBournemouth; a result which saw Liverpool become the first team in Premier League history to win four consecutive away league matches by a margin of at least three goals.In the process, he also became the joint-second fastest player to reach 20 goals for Liverpool on his 26th appearance, behindGeorge Allanwho reached the milestone in 19 appearances in 1895.On 17 March 2018, Salah scored four goals in a 5–0 win over Watford, which was his first hat-trick for Liverpool. In this game, he also broke a record of scoring 36 times in his debut season for Liverpool, and also became the leading goalscorer inEurope's top five leagues– overtaking Barcelona'sLionel Messiand Tottenham strikerHarry Kane. Following Salah's record-breaking goal exploits former Liverpool captainSteven Gerrardstated "we are witnessing the start of greatness".
In early April 2018, he scored in both Champions League quarter-final matches againstManchester Cityto help his side advance.On 22 April 2018, Salah was awarded thePFA Players' Player of the Yearaward,having earlier been named in thePFA Team of the Yearfor the Premier League.Two days later, he scored a brace in a 5–2 Champions League semi-final first leg win over former club, Roma. In doing so, he simultaneously became the first player from Africa and the first Liverpool player to score 10 goals in a single campaign in the tournament. His double also took him to 43 goals for the season across all competitions, surpassingRoger Hunt's tally of 42, and making him Liverpool's second-highest goalscorer in a single season, behindIan Rush.He had previously also broken the club's record for the Premier League era, surpassingRobbie Fowler's total of 36 goals set in the1995–96campaign, andFernando Torres' record of 33 for the most goals by a Liverpool player in a debut season.After his two goals and assists in the first leg against Roma, Salah featured in the second leg as Liverpool beat the Italian club 7–6 on aggregate to qualify for the final for the first time ineleven years.He would then become the Premier League's all-time goalscorer for a 38-game season, registering his 32nd league goal in a 4–0 win againstBrighton & Hove Albionen route to being awarded thePremier League Golden Boot.
In the2018 Champions League finalagainstReal Madrid, Salah injured his left shoulder in the 30th minute after a challenge by Madrid defenderSergio Ramos.After initially carrying on, he left the field in tears after going to ground again;the match ended in a 3–1 defeat. The Egyptian FA stated that this would have no effect on his availability for the2018 FIFA World Cupin Russia, and that Salah would still be named in the team's final squad on 4 June.The day after the match, Ramos wrote a message and sent him good wishes.
On 2 July 2018, Salah signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool.ManagerJürgen Kloppsaid the news was important as a statement of intent in terms of Liverpool's status in the football world in having Salah commit himself further to the club.On 12 August, Salah scored Liverpool's first goal of the season, in a 4–0 home win overWest Ham United.On 30 August, Salah was named on the three-manshortlistfor theUEFA Men's Player of the Year, coming in third place,and was also included on the three-manshortlistfor theUEFA Forward of the Season, coming in second place.On 3 September he was named on the three-manshortlistforthe Best FIFA Men's Player, finishing third.Salah controversially received the2018 FIFA Puskás Awardfor goal of the year, the winning strike his goal at Anfield in his firstMerseyside derby,prompting online protests against the decision.On 24 October, Salah scored twice againstRed Star Belgradein the2018–19 Champions League group stage, with his second goal his 50th for the club.With 50 goals in 65 games, he is the fastest player in Liverpool history to reach the half century.
On 3 December, Salah was ranked in sixth place at the2018 Ballon d'Orceremony, as a recognition for his performances with club and country throughout 2018.On 8 December, Salah scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 away win over Bournemouth, to move Liverpool to the top of theleague table.Three days later, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 win overNapoliin their final Champions League group fixture, the result qualifying Liverpool to theround of sixteen.On 19 January 2019, he scored his 50th Premier League goal with a brace in a 4–3 win over Crystal Palace, reaching the tally in 72 appearances. In doing so, he became the joint-fourth fastest player to achieve the milestone, alongside Fernando Torres, and behind onlyAndy Cole,Alan ShearerandRuud van Nistelrooy.
In February 2019, West Ham said they were investigating a video which allegedly showed fansracially abusingSalah, including for being Muslim.The investigation resulted in the fan being banned for three years.On 5 April, he scored his 50th Premier League goal for Liverpool in a 3–1 win overSouthamptonand in the process broke Torres' record to become the fastest player to reach the milestone for the club, doing so in his 69th appearance.It also saw him become the third fastest player to reach the milestone for a single club in the Premier League era, behind Shearer forBlackburn Rovers, in 66 appearances, and Van Nistelrooy forManchester United, in 68.Later that month, he scored the second goal, a powerful strike from 25 yards out that flew into the top corner, in a 2–0 win over Chelsea which helped Liverpool earn a club-record-equaling 26th win for the Premier League campaign; and the club's second-highest ever wins return in the top flight after the record of 30 set in 1979.On 26 April, he made his 100th appearance for Liverpool and broke the record jointly held by Roger Hunt andSam Raybouldfor the player with the most goals in his first century of appearances for the club, netting twice in a 5–0 win overHuddersfield Townto take his tally to 69.
On 1 June, after missing the semi-final due to injury, Salah scored Liverpool's first goal in a 2–0 win over Tottenham in the2019 Champions League finalfrom a penalty.The goal, which he scored in the opening two minutes of the match, was the second fastest goal ever scored in a Champions League final, slower only thanPaolo Maldini's effort for AC Milan against Liverpool in the2005 final.In September 2019, Salah was nominated for theFIFPRO World 11award by worldwide players' unionFIFPRO, andFIFA, as one of 55 players.
On 9 August 2019, Salah scored Liverpool's second goal in a 4–1 win againstNorwich Cityin the opening game of the2019–20 Premier Leagueseason.In the2019 UEFA Super Cupon 14 August, Salah scored Liverpool's fifth and ultimately decisive penalty in a 5–4 penalty shoot-out win against Chelsea, after the game had finished 2–2 afterextra time.In December, Salah ended fifth in the voting polls for the2019 Ballon d'Or, and made his 100th Premier League appearance later in the month, marking the occasion with a goal and assist in Liverpool's 3–0 win over Bournemouth.Later that month, Liverpool won the2019 FIFA Club World Cup, with Salah receiving theGolden Ballaward for Player of the Tournament.
On 19 January 2020, Salah scored his first goal in five encounters against rivals Manchester United, with a run that spanned from outside his box to the other goal in Liverpool's 2–0 home win in the Premier League.On 29 January, Salah scored Liverpool's opening goal in a 2–0 away win against West Ham, a victory that saw the club beat every team in a Premier League season – the first time in the club's 127-year history that they had accomplished it in the top flight.On 7 March, Salah scored the opening goal in a 2–1 win against Bournemouth as Liverpool made it anEnglish top-flight recordof 22 consecutive home wins. It was also his 70th Premier League goal in 100 appearances for Liverpool, meaning that he had scored seven more goals than the previous best in their first 100 league games for the club (63 goals by Fernando Torres).Salah's 20th of the season saw him become the first Liverpool player to score 20 goals in all competitions in three consecutive seasons sinceMichael Owenbetween2000–01and2002–03.On 24 June 2020, he scored as Liverpool beatCrystal Palace4–0 at home, as the team edged closer to securing the title.After Liverpool being confirmed as champions,Salah would go on to score a further two goals (both against Brighton)before lifting the Premier League trophy after a 5–3 victory over Chelsea.
On 12 September 2020, Salah scored a hat-trick in the first league match of a season, including two penalties, in a 4–3 win againstLeeds United.Hence, he became the first Liverpool player to score in four consecutive league openers from the 2017–18 to 2020–21 seasons, and the second man in Premier League history, afterTeddy Sheringhamfrom the 1992–93 to 1995–96 seasons.He also became the first player to score a hat-trick for Liverpool in the first league match sinceJohn Aldridgeachieved this feat in the 1988–89 season.On 17 October 2020, he scored his 100th goal for Liverpool in all competitions in a 2–2 away draw againstEverton.In scoring his 100th goal in his 159th game, Salah became the first player since Steven Gerrard in 2008 to reach the milestone, and the third fastest in Liverpool's history after Roger Hunt (100 goals in 144 games), andJack Parkinson(153 games).Salah is the fastest to reach 100 goals for Liverpool while scoring purely in England's top flight, given that both Hunt and Parkinson scored some of their goals for Liverpool in theFootball League Second Division.
On 31 January 2021, Salah scored two goals against West Ham and became the fifth Liverpool player to score more than 20 goals in all competitions in four consecutive seasons, and the first since Ian Rush did so six times running from 1981–82 to 1986–87.In addition, his goal in the 68th minute that game was later voted asPremier League Goal of the Month.On 24 April, he scored in a 1–1 draw with Newcastle United, to become the first Liverpool player to score 20 goals in three different Premier League campaigns.On 13 May, he scored a goal in a 4–2 away win over Manchester United, to be his team's first away win at Old Trafford since March 2014.Moreover, he also became the only player to score atOld Traffordfor Liverpool in two different games in a season, having scored twice in a 3–2 defeat in theFA Cup, sinceHarry Chambersin the 1920–21 season.
Salah opened the2021–22 seasonwith a goal and two assists in a 3–0 win away to Norwich, becoming the first player to score in the opening game of five consecutive Premier League seasons.On 12 September, Salah scored his100th Premier League goalin the 3–0 win away to Leeds United.On 25 September, Salah scored his 100th Premier League goal for Liverpool in a 3–3 draw away toBrentford. Reaching 100 top-flight goals in fewer games than any player in Liverpool history, he achieved the milestone in 151 games, one game fewer than Roger Hunt who reached a century of goals in 152 games.The goal also moved Salah into Liverpool'stop 10 all-time scorerslist.
On 19 October 2021, Salah became the first player in Liverpool history to score in nine consecutive games with two goals in a 3–2 win away toAtlético Madridin the Champions League. His second goal, his 31st in the Champions League, saw him become Liverpool's record goalscorer in the competition, surpassing the 30 goals scored by Steven Gerrard.In his next game on 24 October, Salah continued breaking records with a hat-trick against Liverpool'sarch rivalsManchester United in a 5–0 away victory.By scoring a hat-trick, Salah became the highest scoring African player in Premier League history (surpassing the 104 goals scored byDidier Drogba), and the first Liverpool player to score in ten consecutive games as well as the first Liverpool player to score at Old Trafford three games in a row.He also became the first opposition player to score a hat-trick at Old Trafford since Ronaldo in 2003, and the first to do so in Premier League history.On 3 October 2021, Salah scored a goal against Manchester City after dribbling through their defence.The goal was later named the Premier League Goal of the Monthand thePremier League Goal of the Seasonfor2021–22.On 1 December, Salah scored twice in a 4–1 away win against Everton in the Premier League as Liverpool became the first team in English top-flight history to score at least two goals in 18 successive games in all competitions.
On 7 December 2021, Salah scored Liverpool's opening goal in a 2–1 away win against AC Milan at theSan Siroas Liverpool became the first English club towin all six Champions League group gamesin the competition's history. The goal was Salah's 20th of the season and he became the first Liverpool player since Ian Rush to score 20 goals in five successive seasons.On 16 December, Salah scored Liverpool's second goal in a 3–1 home win against Newcastle United, the 15th consecutive Premier League game he either scored or made an assist, in what was Liverpool's 2,000th top-flight win.On 19 February 2022, Salah became the 10th player to score 150 goals in all competitions for the club, and the second fastest (232 matches) after Roger Hunt (226), when he scored the second goal in a 3–1 Premier League win over Norwich at Anfield.On 19 April, Salah became the first Premier League Player to score five goals against Manchester United in a single season after scoring a brace in a 4–0 win at Anfield.On 29 April, Salah was named England's Men's Footballer of the Year for the second time since 2018.On 22 May, Salah was awarded his third Golden Boot award at the end of thePremier Leagueseason, sharing the award withSon Heung-minafter both players scored 23 goals. Salah also won the Playmaker of the Season award after collecting 13 assists.Salah earned a runner-up medal in the2021–22 Champions League, losing thefinalto Real Madrid.Liverpool narrowly missed out on the chance to achieve a historic quadruple, coming second in the Premier League and the Champions League but winning both theEFL Cupand theFA Cup.
On 1 July 2022, Salah signed a new contract with Liverpool, lasting until at least 2025.On 30 July, Salah scored a penalty and assisted a goal in a 3–1FA Community Shieldvictory against Manchester City.On 6 August, Salah began the new Premier League campaign by scoring one goal and assisting another in a 2–2 draw away atFulham. With his eighth goal in Premier League opening matches, he became the first player to score on the opening day six seasons in a row, and equalled the record of total goals on opening days set byWayne Rooney,Frank Lampardand Alan Shearer.On 12 October, Salah came off the bench in a Champions League match away toRangers, before scoring three goals in the space of six minutes and twelve seconds of an eventual 7–1 win.This saw him breakBafétimbi Gomis' record for the fastestChampions League hat-trickof all time.With 38 goals, he also became the highest goalscorer for an English side, beating out Didier Drogba andSergio Agüero.On 17 October, Salah was voted in fifth place for theBallon D'orceremony.
On 7 January 2023, Salah surpassedKenny Dalglishfor sixth place on the club's all-time top scorers' list, taking his tally for the club to 173 in 280 matches, when he scored the second goal in a 2–2 home draw againstWolverhampton Wanderersin theFA Cup.On 21 February, Salah became Liverpool's top goalscorer in European competitions after scoring the second goal in the Champions League match against Real Madrid in the first leg of theround of sixteen.Despite being defeated by Real Madrid in both legs of the round of sixteen and not advancing further in the competition, Salah finished the2022–23 Champions Leagueas thesecond-highest goalscorerin the competition, behind onlyErling Haaland.Moreover, on 5 March, Salah scored two goals and delivered two assists against Manchester United in a 7–0 win and became Liverpool's top scorer in the Premier League with 129 goals, overtaking Robbie Fowler's tally of 128. Salah also became the first Liverpool player to score against Manchester United in five consecutive games.With his first goal against United, Salah became the highest scoring Egyptian ever with 303 career goals, surpassingHossam Hassanwho had scored 302 goals for club and country in all competitions between 1985 and 2007. On 6 May, Salah became the first player in Liverpool history to score in nine successive games at Anfield with his 100th goal at the stadium.On 15 May, Salah completed his first-ever hat-trick of assists in a Premier League match in 3–0 away win againstLeicester City.At the end of the2022–23 season, Liverpool narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification, with Salah describing himself as "totally devastated".Despite this, Salah was widely praised as one of the best performers in the Premier Leaguethat season.
In the2023–24 preseason, Salah was the recipient of a two-year contract offer worth £155m fromSaudi Pro LeaguesideAl-Ittihad.Had Salah accepted the offer, he would have joined his former teammateFabinhoinJeddahand Liverpool would have received a £52m transfer fee. However, the agent of Salah, Ramy Abbas Issa, stated on 7 August 2023 that his client was "committed" to Liverpool.On 1 September 2023, Al-Ittihad sent an offer worth £150 million to sign him. However, the deal was eventually turned down by Liverpool on the same day.In the 2023–24 season, Salah moved into a playmaker role on the pitch, with manager Jürgen Klopp stating that now the situation was "slightly different, especially withDarwin [Núñez]when he… [was] playing". Klopp further opined that Salah was "smart enough to adapt to all these different things" and that he was "in all phases world class".
On 21 October 2023, Salah scored the 200th and 201st league goals of his career with a brace in the Merseyside derby.On 26 October, Salah scored the last goal in a 5–1 victory againstToulouseto become the highest-scoring Premier League player inEuropean competitions, overtakingThierry Henry.On 29 October, with Salah scoring in a 3–0 victory againstNottingham Forest, he became the third player in Liverpool history to achieve the feat of scoring in each of the opening five home league matches of a season, after Harry Chambers and John Aldridge. Chambers and Aldridge made this achievement in 1922 and 1987 respectively.On 9 December, Salah scored his 200th goal for Liverpool in a 2–1 win away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League to become the fifth player at the club to reach the landmark, following Ian Rush, Roger Hunt,Gordon HodgsonandBilly Liddell.On 14 March 2024, he netted a goal in a 6–1 win overSparta Praguein theEuropa League round of 16, in which he became the first player to score at least 20 goals in seven consecutive seasons for Liverpool, breaking Ian Rush's previous record of six between 1981–82 and 1986–87.On 7 April, Salah scored in a 2–2 draw away against Manchester United, bringing his Premier League goal tally at Old Trafford to six, the most of any visiting player in the competition's history, overtaking Steven Gerrard's five goals.On 25 May, Salah was named the top African goalscorer in the 2023–24 Premier League season with 18 goals in 34 league appearances.On 7 June, he was awarded Liverpool's Player of the Season for the fourth time in his career.The end of the season sawJürgen Klopp's departure from Liverpool; across his tenure as Liverpool manager, Salah was his most used player.
On 17 August 2024, Salah broke the record for the most goals scored on opening day in Premier League history after netting in a 2–0 win over newly promotedIpswich Town.On 2 October, with a curled goal in a 2–0 victory over Bologna in theChampions League, he surpassed Didier Drogba as the all-time highest scoring African player in the competition.On 20 October, Salah scored a penalty againstChelsea,bringing hisPremier Leaguetotal that season up to five goals and five assists in eight games played.This remains the earliest into a season a Liverpool player has both scored five or more goals and assisted five or more in the competition.The beginning of the season took place among much discussion about the potential expiry of the contracts of Salah as well as teammatesVirgil van DijkandTrent Alexander-Arnold. On the matter,Micah Richardscommented: "[t]hey [Liverpool] have got to sign Mo Salah up, it is imperative they give him a two-year deal."On 24 November, Salah scored a brace in a 3–2 away win againstSouthampton, the latter goal of which was his 100th away goal for Liverpool in all competitions.On 4 December, he scored a brace and provided an assist in a 3–3 draw againstNewcastle Unitedto become the first player in Premier League history to both score and assist in 37 separate matches, overtakingWayne Rooney's tally of 36.
On 10 December 2024, he scored his 50th Champions League goal in Liverpool's 1–0 victory againstGirona.Four days later, he registered his 100th assist for Liverpool in all competitions, in the Premier League game against Fulham.On 22 December, he scored a brace and provided two assists in a 6–3 away victory overTottenham Hotspurto become the first player in Premier League history to reach double digits in both goals and assists before Christmas with 15 goals and 11 assists. He also became Liverpool's fourth-highest goalscorer of all time with 229 goals to his name, as he surpassedBilly Liddell's tally.
Salah entered the all-timetop 50 goalscorers in English top flight historywith his 173rd goal in total onBoxing Day2024, after scoring an 82nd-minute goal against Leicester City.He is the second-highest foreign goalscorer in English football, behind Argentinian Sergio Agüero with 184.With only 18 league games played in the season, Salah broke three more Premier League records when he netted a goal and provided two assists in a dominant 5–0 victory over West Ham United atLondon Stadiumon 29 December 2024, becoming the first player to score and assist in eight different games in a single season, and setting a record for the fewest matches to reach 30 goal involvements in a season, and most goal contributions in a single month for any player in Premier League history, while entering the Premier League's top 10 list of all-time assists with 81 to his name, surpassingDavid Beckham. In addition, he became the first player in Liverpool history to score at least 20 goals in all competitions for eight consecutive seasons breaking his own previous season record.
On 21 January 2025, Salah scored his 50th goal for Liverpool in European competitions in a 2–1 victory overLilleat Anfield.The following two league matchdays saw him score againstIpswich Townin a 4–1 home win, then a brace in a 2–0 away victory at Bournemouth, increasing his tally to 178 in the Premier League, moving up to sixth in the Premier League top goalscorers list, overtaking Thierry Henry and Frank Lampard. He also became only the fifth player in Premier League history to score at least 20 goals in a season for the fifth time.On 12 February, in the last Merseyside derby atGoodison Park, Salah became the fourth player to record 100 goal involvements in as many Premier League matches, after Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry andRobin van Persie.On 19 February, he registered a goal and an assist in a 2–2 away draw with Aston Villa, becoming the first player to score 15 away league goals in a single season, and just the fifth player in Premier League history to register at least 15 goals and 15 assists in a single season.
Salah played for both theEgypt national under-20and under-23 team, representing Egypt in both the2011 FIFA U-20 World Cupand the2012 Summer Olympics,scoring a penalty againstArgentinain theround of sixteenof the former tournament, with Egypt losing the match 2–1.
Salah was selected for theEgypt squadto play at the 2012 Summer Olympicsscoring in all three of the team's group games. In their opening match on 26 July, he scored Egypt's second goal in a 3–2 defeat toBrazil.He scored the equaliser in their 1–1 draw againstNew Zealandon 29 July,before scoring Egypt's opening goal in a 3–1 win overBelarusin their finalgroup stagegame played on 1 August,securing advancement into theknockout stageof the tournament, where Egypt were eliminated following a 3–0quarter-finaldefeat toJapanon 4 August.
On 3 September 2011, Salah made his debut for the seniorEgypt national teamin a 2–1 away defeat bySierra Leone.He scored his first goal for Egypt's senior team in the 3–0 win againstNigera month later, on 8 October, inqualifyingfor the2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
On 10 June 2012, he scored a goal in the 93rd minute in stoppage time againstGuineato give Egypt an important 3–2 away victory in a2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier.On 9 June 2013, Salah scored a hat-trick in a 4–2 away win againstZimbabweas Egypt won their fourth consecutive match in the World Cup qualifiers.A week later in the following match, he scored the only goal away toMozambique, putting Egypt into the final qualifying group.On 10 September, Salah scored his sixth tournament goal in a 4–2 win over Guinea, securing Egypt a 100% record to finish their qualifying group and becoming the joint-top scorer among all African teams in the qualification stages.
On 10 October 2014, Salah scored in a 2–0 win overBotswana, also scoring in the return fixture on five days later, in qualifying for the2015 Africa Cup of Nations.On 19 November, Salah scored the opening goal in a 2–1 away defeat toTunisia, as Egypt missed out on qualifying for theAfrica Cup of Nationsfinals for a third consecutive time.
Salah was a member of the Egypt squad for the2017 Africa Cup of Nationsheld in Gabon.On 25 January, he scored in Egypt's 1–0 win overGhanato secure first place inGroup D.He went all the way to the final with Egypt, scoring twice and assisting two times in six games, earning him a place in theCAF Team of the Tournament.
Salah was the top scorer for Egypt with five goals during2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, including both goals in the decisive 2–1 victory overCongo, one of which was a penalty in the last minute to make the Pharaohs reach their first World Cup finals since the1990 tournament.Despite doubts over his fitness following his shoulder injury, Salah was included in Egypt's 29-man provisional squad for the World Cup and was included in their final 23-man squad on 4 June.He missed Egypt's opening match againstUruguayon 15 June, which the Pharaohs lost 1–0, conceding in the 89th minute.Salah scored a penalty in Egypt's 3–1 defeat to hostsRussiaat theKrestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg four days later.In Egypt's final group game on 25 June, Salah scored his second goal at the World Cup with a chip over goalkeeperYasser Al-Mosailemin Egypt's 2–1 defeat toSaudi ArabiaatVolgograd Arena.
On 8 September, in a 6–0 win over Niger inqualifyingfor the2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Salah scored two goals, provided two assists and also missed two penalties. His first penalty, in the first minute of the game, was saved, while the second he converted the loose ball after it was initially saved.
On 16 June 2019, Salah provided two assists after coming on as a substitute in 3–1 win over Guinea in friendly warm-up game for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, wearing the captain's armband for the first time in his international career.On 26 June, Salah scored his first goal of the tournament in Egypt's second group match, a 2–0 win overDR Congo; he was also involved in the opening goal of the match, which was scored by captainAhmed Elmohamady.
Salah was named as the captain of the Egypt national team in September 2019.In 2021–22, Salah faced his Liverpool teammateSadio Manétwice, as Egypt competed againstSenegalin the2021 Africa Cup of Nations finalandthird round of 2022 World Cup qualification. However, Egypt lost both encounters in penalty shoot-outs.
On 24 March 2023, Salah scored his 50th international goal for Egypt,making Egypt the onlyAfricanteam with more than one player who had scored at least 50 international goals.On 16 November, Salah scored four goals in Egypt's 6–0 win overDjibouti, and became Egypt's highest goalscorer in World Cup qualification matches overtakingMohamed Aboutrika.
On 30 December 2023, he was selected in the 27-man squad for the2023 Africa Cup of Nationsin Ivory Coast.On 14 January 2024, he scored a stoppage-time penalty in a 2–2 draw against Mozambique in the opening match of group stage, becoming the first Egyptian to score in four different AFCON tournaments.Four days later, he sustained a hamstring injury against Ghana, which forced him to withdraw from the competition.Later that year, on 10 June, he earned his 100th international cap, in which he also scored a goal, in a 1–1 away draw againstGuinea-Bissauduring2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
Regarded as a quick, mobile, hard-working and tactical player, with good technique and an eye for goal, Salah is predominantly known for his speed, movement, clinical finishing, agility,dribblingskills, first touch, and ball control, as well as his ability to use both his pace and flair on the ball to beat opponents, and create scoring opportunities for himself or his teammates.In recent years, Salah's playmaking has started to receive increased recognition; he recorded 25 assists across the 2021–22 and 2022–23 Premier League seasons, compared to 33 assists across the four seasons prior to this.A versatile forward, he primarily plays as awingeron the right flank, a position which allows him to cut into the centre onto his stronger left foot, and either shoot on goal or play quick exchanges with other players and make runs in behind the defence towards goal. He can also play in the centre behind the main striker as either anattacking midfielderorsecond striker.
On his increased threat in front of goal since joining Liverpool, Salah credits Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp's request for him to occupy more advancedcentral positions, often operating as amain striker, with the forward tellingESPN, "I play closer to the goal than any club before."Salah initially started his career at theleft-backposition; however, following a 4–0 win over the youth team of Egyptian clubENPPI, Salah was in tears for not scoring after missing several clear chances. This made his coach realise his passion for scoring goals, forcing him to move him to a forward position.
Salah is regarded by several pundits and footballing figures as one of the best players in the world and one of the best African players of all time.While Salah was playing at Al Mokawloon, American coachBob Bradleysaw Salah play and noted his prodigious speed, explosiveness, and intelligence on the pitch, already evident at his young age.Upon signing for Chelsea, José Mourinho said of Salah: "He's young, he's fast, he's creative, he's enthusiastic. When we analysed him he looks the kind of humble personality on the pitch, ready to work for the team."Mourinho added that Salah has "similar qualities" with "talented players" that he had worked with, such asGareth BaleandArjen Robben.His technical skills, pace, left foot, goalscoring, position and direct playing style led him to be nicknamed the "Egyptian Messi", in the Italian media.Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldo – whom Salah idolised while growing up – stated, "Salah is an incredible player with a tremendous quality. He looks like Messi."Salah has also received praise for hisrefusal to celebrateagainst his former clubs.
Salah and his wife, Magi, married in 2013. Their daughter, Makka, born in 2014,is named in honour of the Islamic holy city ofMecca.They welcomed a second daughter, Kayan, in 2020.Salah isMuslimand celebrates goals by performing thesujud.On this goal celebration, Salah toldCNN, "It's something like praying or thanking God for what I have received, but yeah, it's just praying and praying for a win. I've always done that since I was young, everywhere."
Salah enjoys playing football on hisPlayStation, and has confessed jokingly that "Salah in the video game is stronger than the real one".Salah has also revealed that his favourite food iskushari, an Egyptian working class dish in origin that is usually made from rice, pasta and lentils and topped with a variety of options including spiced tomatoes, chickpeas and onions.
During the2018 Egyptian presidential election, a large number of spoilt ballot papers, possibly more than a million, involved voters crossing out both names and writing Salah's name instead.
Salah has a sponsorship deal with sportswear and equipment supplierAdidas: he wears a special edition Adidas X Crazyfast+ football boots called Egyptian Nights.He appeared in an Adidas 2018 World Cup commercial along with other players who are also sponsored by them, includingDavid Beckham, Lionel Messi,Paul Pogbaand singerPharrell Williams.
In March 2018, Salah appeared in an advertisement forVodafone Egypt. Filmed visiting severalMerseysidelandmarks, the video was originally released inArabic(but was also translated to English).A month later, he mentioned that he was "insulted" after his image was displayed across the national team's plane without his permission before the start of the World Cup that year, as the official sponsor of the national team,WE, is a rival of his sponsor.
Salah is active in regeneration projects inNagrig, his hometown where most people live in poverty, donating money to help build a school and hospital.The project includes the construction of anAl-Azharinstitute and an ambulance unit. In an interview withAl-Masry Al-Youm, Salah's father claimed that his son refused to accept any financial assistance with the project.
During his time in Egypt, Salah's family was once robbed; however, the thief was caught and arrested by police, with Salah's father preparing to press charges against him, but Mohamed convinced him to drop the case. Afterwards, Salah helped the thief financially, giving him some money and trying to find him a job.In February 2018, following a match against Tottenham, Salah donated a replica shirt to young supporter Mohamed Abdel Karim, who was previously pictured wearing a jumper reading Salah's name and shirt number.Moreover, Mohamed Salah has helped more than 450 families by giving them monthly allowances and he also helped the government by giving approximately $300,000 when the country was experiencing an economic crisis.
On 14 August 2022,a fire broke out at Abu Sefein ChurchinGiza, Egypt, with 41 people losing their lives as a result. Salah subsequently expressed his condolences on social media,and made a donation of three millionEgyptian poundsto help rebuild the church.
During the2023 Israel–Hamas war, Salah called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into theGaza Stripand for the "massacres" and the "slaughter of innocent civilians" to stop.Salah also donated an undisclosed amount to support thePalestinian people.
The most popular chant for Salah was made by Liverpool supporters where they called him the Egyptian King – "Mo Salah! Mo Salah! Mo Salah! Running down the wing. Mo Salah la-la-la la-ahh, the Egyptian King!",to the tune of "Sit Down" by English indie rock bandJames. They also created another chant to the tune ofDodgy's "Good Enough", saying that if Salah continued to score goals, they would convert toIslam– "If he's good enough for you, he's good enough for me, if he scores another few, then I'll be Muslim too."Salah has given his approval to the chant, and it has been cited as an example of inclusivity.According to a 2021 study in theAmerican Political Science Review, Salah's transfer to Liverpool led to a 16% reduction in hate crimes in the city, as well as reducingIslamophobiconline rhetoric by Liverpool fans.Salah is devout to a degree that many other well-known Muslims sports figures are not, and his charm and apolitical persona have made him a popular figure in the UK.During hisgoal celebration, Salah lays in the prostrate position to thank God in sujud.
Salah is nicknamed "The Pharaoh" by the press and his fans.Egyptians refer to Salah as the "Fourth Pyramid".
Following his goal that led Egypt to theWorld Cupfinals for the first time in28 years, a school in Egypt was named after him.After Egypt's exit from the World Cup, Salah stayed in his home country for his pre-season holiday, and in late June, his address was accidentally leaked onFacebook. During this time, huge crowds of fans showed up at Salah's house, with Salah greeting them and signing autographs for some, although according to reports in Spain, police did arrive to cordon off his house.
During Liverpool's 2018pre-season tour in the U.S., American artist Brandan Odums created a mural inNew York City'sTimes Squarearea displaying Salah in an Egypt kit, with the player later posting an image on social media posing next to it.In Egypt, several murals have also been created displaying Salah's likeness, including one in the capital of Cairo.
A testament to his influence in the region and globally, Salah was featured on the cover of two major magazines in 2018:GQMiddle East (feature story titled "The Unstoppable Rise of Mo Salah")andTimemagazine's 2019Time100edition.An advocate of women's equality in the Middle East, Salah (in hisTime100 entry) states, "We need to change the way we treat women in our culture".English comedian and Liverpool fanJohn Oliverwrote Salah's feature in theTime100 issue.Oliver started the feature writing "Mo Salah is a better human being than he is a football player. And he's one of the best football players in the world."Despite being named as the "GQ Middle East Man of the Year" in 2019, another GQ photoshoot, with Brazilian modelAlessandra Ambrosio, caused him some criticism in the Islamic world.In January 2020, it was announced that Salah would be honoured with a wax statue atMadame Tussaudsin London.
Basel
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Individual
As of match played 19 February 2025
Europe
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