Urgent.News

What's breaking now, across thousands of outlets.

Culture

'I can't believe he is one of us' - inside Salah's life in Trabzon

BBC Sport travels to Turkey to watch Mohamed Salah play for Trabzonspor and discover how the 'Egyptian King' is settling into life by the Black Sea.

'I can't believe he is one of us' - inside Salah's life in Trabzon

Mohamed Salah, the global football superstar, has arrived in Trabzon, a city in north-east Turkey, and quickly become a beloved figure among the locals. Fans have greeted him with overwhelming enthusiasm, with his signature burgundy and blue kit selling out almost immediately. Trabzonspor, Salah's Turkish club, has capitalized on his popularity by selling out the same kit in black, which has also proven to be a hit.

The city is filled with trinkets bearing Salah's image, from scarves and magnets to keyrings and even a headdress worn by Egyptian Nemes. His arrival has led to a surge in season ticket sales and a growing crowd at the airport, as Trabzon has become a more accessible destination for fans across the Arab world. Salah's impact extends beyond his on-field performance, as he has helped Trabzonspor secure a place in the Turkish Super Lig title race.

At 34, Salah is determined to prove he still has what it takes, with his financial incentives and the ability to focus solely on football among the key factors in his decision to join Trabzonspor. For Salah, Trabzon is more than just a city – it's his home away from home, and he is quickly becoming an icon in both Turkey and the wider Muslim world.

Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

Also reported by 1 other outlet

Read the original at sports.yahoo.com →

More in Culture

More from Sunday 8 November →