February 15, 2025

Football Africa

All Africa Football News

Mohamed Salah: The Legend No One Knew… From Struggles to Global Stardom

4 min read
Mohamed Salah's beginnings... from the womb of hardship, the legend was born

Mohamed Salah's beginnings... from the womb of hardship, the legend was born

Mohamed Salah, the star of Liverpool FC, didn’t have a path paved with roses. Since childhood, he faced tough circumstances—not in his home life, but in his connection to football.

The thing Salah loved most, football, was the hardest challenge of his life. How could a young boy from Nagrig move to another city just to play football? This question was the most pressing one in the mind of the little boy.

A Daily Struggle for a Dream

During this period, Maher Shetia, the mayor of Nagrig, explained: “Salah’s father always helped him commute from one village to another, especially when the cities Salah traveled to were relatively close.”

However, he added that the toughest challenge Salah faced was when he joined El Mokawloon (Arab Contractors Club).

Shetia said, “Salah would walk 1.5 kilometers to reach the meeting point, where he would catch transportation to Tanta alone and then head to Cairo. This routine repeated daily so he could attend all his training sessions with El Mokawloon.”

The Beginning at Nagrig Youth Center

Salah’s football journey began at Nagrig Youth Center. Mohsen El-Tatawy, a sports supervisor at the time, shared: “Mohamed Salah’s talent became evident during a tournament in Kafr Suleiman. His exceptional skills shone brightly. I used to escort him from his home to the pitch, where the locals eagerly awaited to see this talented boy play.”

Regarding the financial compensation Salah received at the Nagrig Youth Center, El-Tatawy noted: “Salah was given less than five Egyptian pounds as a food allowance—often less than a dollar at the time—and many players didn’t even receive that.”

Salah was given less than five Egyptian pounds

Youth Centers and Their Role in Salah’s Discovery

Mohamed El-Ghamry, who discovered Salah and was his first coach at Nagrig Youth Center, emphasized the role of “modernized youth centers” in identifying talents like Salah. He credited former Youth and Sports Minister Ali El-Din Hilal for establishing this concept.

El-Ghamry explained: “Modernized youth centers received financial support of 20,000 Egyptian pounds, compared to just 5,000 for regular centers. This funding allowed the purchase of equipment and the hiring of skilled coaches, leading to the discovery of talents like Mohamed Salah.”

He added: “Dressed in a full Netherlands kit and arriving 15 minutes early, Salah stood out even as a child. His ability to make decisions before the ball reached him set him apart from his peers.”

Despite many talented players at Nagrig Youth Center, only Mohamed Salah achieved success. The coach of the 1992-born team remarked: “Everyone expected Salah to become a player in the Egyptian league, but what he achieved was thanks to his ambition and determination.”

An Unforgettable Match Against Itihad Basyoun

One of Salah’s standout matches was between Nagrig Youth Center and Itihad Basyoun. His coach recalled: “Itihad Basyoun arrived with buses and matching uniforms, while Nagrig came in minibuses with mismatched kits. Before the match, Salah asked me, ‘How can we play against these guys?’ I replied, ‘Are you scared?’ He answered, ‘You’ll see what we’ll do on the pitch.’”

True to his word, Salah’s team achieved a resounding victory. By halftime, they were up by seven goals. The coach told Salah, “Entertain the crowd,” and he delivered.

From Nagrig to El Mokawloon

Mostafa Qarni, the technical director of Osmahton Tanta, narrated how Salah joined El Mokawloon: “During a talent scouting session in Tanta, Salah’s performance amazed us. I immediately asked officials to bring his father to sign a contract.”

When El Mokawloon requested a talented player from Tanta, Salah was unanimously chosen. Qarni added: “Salah stood out with his focus solely on the ball, despite the challenges of relocating to Cairo. His smile never faded, and he was loved by everyone.”

Nagrig School and a PE Teacher’s Testimony

During a Pepsi Schools Championship, Mohamed El-Ahwal, Salah’s PE teacher, recalled: “Salah could do everything with the ball. In one match, a rival school coach asked, ‘Do you have bags to carry the goals?’ Salah replied, ‘I’ll be the one carrying them, just make sure the bag is big.’ He then scored six goals in that match, prompting the rival coach to say, ‘That’s enough!’”

A Global Icon from Nagrig to Liverpool

Mohamed Salah’s story is not just a tale of success—it’s a saga of perseverance and determination. From a humble youth center in his village, he rose to become a global football icon, inspiring millions. Salah’s journey proves that dreams know no limits.

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