Mohamed Salah’s Influence in Egypt
Mohamed Salah’s prominence in Egypt makes his every statement a hot topic. Following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw against Leeds, where he remained benched for the third consecutive match, his remarks became the primary focus of sports media in Egypt.
“The Egyptian media has always backed Salah,” comments Adam Moustafa, a journalist and co-founder of KingFut. “For the past five years, around 60-70% of discussions about Egyptian football have centered on him. His unique status is unprecedented; he is the golden child of Egypt.”
Salah’s cultural influence is evident as discussions about his interview transcended football itself. Prominent news presenter Amr Adib passionately defended him, while political commentators analyzed his comments in terms of negotiation strategies. “It seems every public figure is compelled to weigh in,” notes Ahmed Fahmy, president of one of Liverpool’s oldest fan clubs in Egypt. “A situation involving Salah becomes a national crisis.”
Contrasting with the debates in the UK, the Egyptian response has been largely supportive, with widespread agreement that Salah was justified in his remarks. “We’re hearing two very different perspectives,” Moustafa adds.
While British media labeled Salah as disrespectful, Egyptian sentiment highlighted that his past performances warrant him the right to express his concerns. “Here, we celebrate our stars over managers and clubs,” explains Fahmy. “The idea of breaking a dressing-room code doesn’t resonate in our football culture.”
Blame was swiftly directed at others rather than Salah. Critiques of manager Arne Slot emerged online, with FilGoal referring to Slot as a “coward.” Television pundits speculated about Liverpool executives possibly feeling slighted by Salah’s public contract discussions. Pundit Jamie Carragher intensified the narrative by questioning Salah’s credibility and past achievements.
Salah’s supporters, including former Egyptian players like Hazem Emam and Mohamed Aboutrika, defended him against Carragher’s criticisms, stressing the need for context regarding Salah’s international record. As Salah prepares for his fifth Africa Cup of Nations campaign, he’s poised to channel recent criticisms into motivation on the pitch.
