Salah's Turkish Adventure: A New Chapter with Trabzonspor

Mohamed Salah has made quite the impact at Trabzonspor, netting 10 goals in just 15 matches since joining the Turkish club. When Salah touched down in Istanbul last August after his holiday in Mykonos, he was welcomed by throngs of fans, proudly wearing Trabzonspor's burgundy and blue jersey. That shirt flew off the shelves, and as he traveled to Trabzon to finalize his surprising transfer, one of his team members suggested he wear it again. Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan, however, had other ideas, recommending the black away kit, which also quickly sold out. From the moment he arrived in this historic Black Sea city, Salah has been showered with admiration. "I went to the airport to see him in Istanbul and it was surreal," reminisces Nisa Dumangoz. "I still can't believe that he is one of us." On match days, it’s hard to miss Salah's face in Trabzon. His image is everywhere, even in fishmongers, and you can’t walk through the city without seeing fans sporting his name on their shirts. One local shop employee humorously pointed out that the ground floor is dedicated to Salah, while the upper floor showcases everything else. Outside the stadium, merchandise featuring Salah is in high demand, from scarves to keyrings. Since his arrival, season ticket sales have skyrocketed. Turkish football journalist Hasan Tuncel noted, "Walking around Trabzon, it feels as though nine out of every 10 fans wearing a shirt have Salah's name on the back. The 10th has their own." Remarkably, Trabzonspor has already surpassed last year's merchandise revenue in just three months following Salah's signing. With new flights from Cairo, Dubai, and Riyadh, access to Trabzon has significantly improved, attracting supporters who previously found Liverpool’s matches hard to reach. On a recent flight from Istanbul, we encountered a family of ten from Cairo making the trip for Trabzonspor's UEFA Conference League clash against Freiburg. "He is our ambassador and our Egyptian King," said Mahmoud, highlighting Salah's influence in drawing fans to Turkey. At the game, a group of Egyptian influencers with a combined following of around five million was spotted, while Salah boasts a staggering 68 million. His fame even extends to tourism; a rock he posed on during a hike has been dubbed Salahtasi (Salah's Rock) and is now a popular spot for visitors. Beyond the commercial success, Salah is also proving his worth on the pitch. With 10 goals and five assists in all competitions, he is a crucial player in Trabzonspor's pursuit of the Turkish Super Lig title. Currently, they trail leaders Galatasaray by just three points, having secured wins against both Galatasaray and Besiktas. "In Turkey, he is the biggest football star after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo," states Kerim Tonyali from the Trabzonspor supporters' group, Gurbetci Gencler. Salah's presence is transforming Trabzonspor into a second club for many fans across Turkey and the Muslim world. Despite being over 2,000 miles away from Liverpool, Trabzon shares a similar sense of identity and pride. The locals embody the spirit of their city, with the mantra, "Everywhere is Trabzon for us." Financially, Salah is doing well, reportedly earning around £14.6 million annually, along with 20% of merchandise sales featuring his name. But beyond the money, he sought a quieter life to focus on football, ultimately choosing Trabzonspor over a potential move to Besiktas. Living in Yomra, he has a street named after him, enjoys the comforts of a private chef, and maintains rigorous training standards. Salah is often seen with a cup of Turkish coffee or a traditional yogurt drink called Ayran, but he remains cautious about exploring the city due to his celebrity status. Paul Onuachu of Trabzonspor noted, "Everyone wants to work with a star like Mohamed Salah. He adds so much and helps all of us. It's a blessing to play with him." In matches, while Salah's pace may have slowed somewhat, his quality shines through. He still has an eye for goal and maintains his knack for finding scoring positions, although his defensive responsibilities appear reduced compared to his time at Liverpool. Looking ahead, Salah aims to represent Egypt in both the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup, which will partly take place in North Africa. While no definitive plans are in place for his future in Turkey, there is speculation that he may explore a move to Saudi Arabia once his two-year stint with Trabzonspor concludes in 2028, by which time he’ll be 36.