40 Facts About Mo Salah

Early Life and Beginnings

Mo Salah's journey from a small town in Egypt to global football stardom is nothing short of inspiring. Let's dive into his early life and career beginnings.

1. Birth and Early Life: Mo Salah was born on June 15, 1992, in Basyoun, Egypt, a town located north of Cairo.

2. Family and Influences: As a youth, Salah idolized professional players like Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane, whose moves he tried to emulate during pickup games.

3. Early Career: At the age of 14, Salah joined the Egyptian club El Mokawloon’s youth team. He made his debut with El Mokawloon’s senior team in 2010.

4. Move to Basel: In 2012, Salah transferred to Swiss club FC Basel. During his time there, he helped lead the team to the Swiss Super League title and an appearance in the UEFA Europa League semifinals.

5. Swiss Golden Player Award: In the 2012–13 season, Salah received the Swiss Golden Player award as the Super League’s outstanding player.

Struggles and Successes in Europe

Salah's European adventure began with challenges but eventually led to remarkable success.

6. Transfer to Chelsea: In January 2014, Salah transferred to Chelsea FC of the Premier League. Despite high expectations, he struggled during his time with Chelsea, starting in only six Premier League matches before being loaned out.

7. Loans to Fiorentina and Roma: In February 2015, Salah was loaned to Fiorentina of Italy’s top league, Serie A. Later that year, he was loaned by Chelsea to another Serie A team, AS Roma.

8. Improvement in Italy: Salah’s play dramatically improved after his move to the Italian league. He completed a permanent transfer to AS Roma before the 2016–17 season and recorded 19 goals and 13 assists that season, earning him AS Roma’s Player of the Year award.

Return to the Premier League

Salah's return to England marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career, filled with record-breaking performances.

9. Return to England: In July 2017, Salah returned to the Premier League after signing with Liverpool FC for a then-club-record fee of £36.9 million.

10. Golden Boot and Player of the Season: During the 2017–18 season, Salah netted an astonishing 32 goals in Premier League matches, setting a new league record for the most goals scored by a player during a single 38-game season. He was rewarded with the Golden Boot as the Premier League’s top scorer and was named Player of the Season.

11. UEFA Champions League Final: In the same season, Salah helped Liverpool reach the UEFA Champions League final, where they lost to Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid.

International Career and Achievements

Salah's contributions to the Egyptian national team have made him a national hero.

12. International Career: Salah made his debut with the Egyptian national team in 2011. He powered the team to the 2017 African Cup of Nations final and helped Egypt qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the first time Egypt had qualified since 1990.

13. CAF Awards: For his performances, Salah was named CAF African Footballer of the Year and the BBC African Footballer of the Year. He was also selected in the CAF Team of the Year and Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament.

14. Speed and Goal-Scoring Ability: Salah is known for his clinical finishing, dribbling, speed, and playmaking abilities, which have made him one of the best players of his generation and one of the greatest African players of all time.

15. Captaincy: Salah captains the Egypt national team and is often referred to as the 'Egyptian King' for his play style.

Off the Field

Salah's impact extends beyond the football pitch, with numerous charitable works and a strong media presence.

16. Charitable Works: Off the football field, Salah performs many charitable works in his native Egypt. He has donated money to help schools and hospitals and has donated land for a sewage treatment plant near his hometown.

17. Education: Due to his long journey to train with El Mokawloon in Cairo, Salah spent only about two hours a day in school.

18. Youth Team Success: At the age of 19, Salah was chosen to be a member of the Egyptian national team. From 2011 to 2018, he scored 34 goals for the Egyptian team.

19. Bronze Medal in Africa U-20 Cup of Nations: Salah represented Egypt at youth level and won a bronze medal in the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

20. 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup and 2012 Summer Olympics: He participated in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Awards and Recognition

Salah's talent and hard work have earned him numerous awards and accolades throughout his career.

21. CAF Most Promising African Talent of the Year: In 2012, Salah was awarded the CAF Most Promising African Talent of the Year.

22. Top Scorer in CAF Qualification: During CAF qualification, Salah became the top scorer, helping the team qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

23. Record-Breaking Performances: In his first season with Liverpool, Salah broke the club's scoring record for a debut season, receiving the Premier League Golden Boot after registering a record 32 goals in 36 league games.

24. Three Premier League Player of the Month Awards: Salah became the first player to win three Premier League Player of the Month awards in the same season.

25. PFA and Football Writers' Awards: At the end of the 2017–18 season, Salah received a number of accolades, including the PFA Players' Player of the Year, the Football Writers' Player of the Year, and the PFA Fans' Player of the Year awards.

26. PFA Team of the Year: He was also named in the 2017–18 PFA Team of the Year.

Key Moments with Liverpool

Salah's time with Liverpool has been marked by significant achievements and memorable moments.

27. Formidable Attacking Trio: After the departure of Philippe Coutinho, Salah formed a formidable attacking trio with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané, which was integral to Liverpool's success.

28. Champions League Title: In 2019, Salah helped Liverpool secure the Champions League title, scoring on an early penalty kick during the team’s 2–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the final match.

29. Premier League Title: In the 2019–20 season, Salah made 19 goals and 10 assists as Liverpool captured the Premier League title.

30. Consistent Goal Scoring: Salah has consistently been one of the top goal scorers in the Premier League, making him a key player for Liverpool.

Leadership and Legacy

Salah's leadership on and off the field has left a lasting impact on football and his fans.

31. Leadership Role: As captain of the Egyptian national team, Salah has taken on a leadership role, inspiring his teammates with his performances on the field.

32. Fan Favorite: Mo Salah is a fan favorite not only in Egypt but also globally, known for his humility and dedication to the sport.

33. Speed and Agility: Salah’s speed and agility on the field make him a nightmare for defenders, allowing him to create scoring opportunities with ease.

34. Dribbling Skills: His exceptional dribbling skills allow him to beat defenders and create space for himself and his teammates.

35. Playmaking Ability: Salah’s playmaking ability is evident in his high number of assists, which have been crucial in Liverpool’s success.

36. Clinical Finishing: His clinical finishing has been a hallmark of his career, with the ability to score goals from various distances and angles.

37. Impact on Egyptian Football: Mo Salah has had a profound impact on Egyptian football, inspiring a generation of young players and bringing international recognition to the sport.

38. Charitable Donations: Off the field, Salah continues to make significant charitable donations, supporting various causes in Egypt and beyond.

39. Media Presence: Salah has a strong media presence, often featured in international sports news and magazines, and has appeared in various commercials and endorsement deals.

40. Legacy: As one of the greatest African players of all time, Mo Salah’s legacy extends beyond his playing career, inspiring future generations of footballers and fans alike.

Mo Salah's Lasting Impact

Mo Salah's journey from a small town in Egypt to global football stardom is nothing short of inspiring. His dedication, skill, and humility have made him a beloved figure both on and off the pitch. From breaking records with Liverpool to leading the Egyptian national team, Salah's achievements are numerous. His charitable efforts in Egypt further highlight his commitment to giving back to his community. Known for his speed, dribbling, and clinical finishing, Salah has consistently been a top performer in the Premier League. His legacy extends beyond his playing career, inspiring future generations of footballers and fans alike. As Salah continues to shine, his story serves as a testament to what can be achieved through hard work and passion. Mo Salah isn't just a footballer; he's a symbol of hope and excellence.