The ManicaPost
Mohamed Salah had already placed himself in Liverpool’s record books before a driving, darting run and angled finish for his second goal in Sunday’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Tottenham at Anfield was likened to a Lionel Messi moment. When manager Jurgen Klopp’s £34.3m summer signing from Roma scored his first, he became the fastest Liverpool player to reach 20 Premier League goals.
He achieved it in 25 games, two games quicker than Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge. The 25-year-old has had a stunning impact since arriving at Anfield but this humble superstar, who is idolised in Egypt, has showed grit and determination to become a superstar.
Salah’s status as a national hero in Egypt was already secure before his two goals, including a late penalty, in the win over Congo in Alexandria last October secured his country a place in the World Cup for the first time since 1990. Salah’s brilliance, modesty and determination never to forget his roots had long made him an iconic figure and a source of national pride.
A school in the city of Basyoun and streets have been named in his honour. He also continues to retain strong links with the town of Nagrig in Gharbia in the north of the country. He is a regular benefactor and paid for a community gym as well as an all-weather pitch where future stars can hone their skills.
In January, Salah was received by Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Minister for Youth and Sports Khaled Abdel Aziz to be praised for his achievements and thanked for his contribution of 5m Egyptian pounds (£200,000) to the Tahiya Masr (‘Long Live Egypt’) fund to strengthen the economy. – BBC Sport.
