The Rise of Mohamed Salah: From Nagrig to International Stardom

Every time I step into this space, memories flood back of how he maneuvered and commanded the ball—it was truly something special. These sentiments echo through the newly inaugurated dark green gates of the youth center in Nagrig, a quaint village three hours north of Cairo. This is where the journey began for Mohamed Salah, one of the world’s most remarkable forwards, who led Liverpool to their Premier League title triumph in May.

Key Highlights

• Mohamed Salah has scored 245 goals for Liverpool since joining in 2017.
• Salah is Egypt’s first national football superstar.
• His humble beginnings in Nagrig shaped his journey to success.
• Salah’s charity work significantly impacts his hometown community.

It was in the streets of Nagrig where a seven-year-old Salah would emulate Brazilian legend Ronaldo, French maestro Zinedine Zidane, and Italian icon Francesco Totti while playing football with his friends. Ghamry Abd El-Hamid El-Saadany, one of Salah’s early coaches, recalls, “Mohamed was small compared to his teammates, yet he performed feats that even older boys struggled with. His shots were exceptionally powerful, reflecting his unwavering determination and ambition.”

Now at 33, Salah is set to embark on his ninth season with Liverpool, where he has netted an impressive 245 goals across 402 league and cup appearances since joining in 2017. While he has claimed every domestic title and the Champions League with the Reds, the one accolade that eludes him is international success with Egypt.

With the Africa Cup of Nations approaching in December and the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the significance of Salah to the Egyptian populace, a nation of 115 million, is increasingly palpable. BBC Sport recently explored the impact of this footballing icon on the lives of many in his homeland, illustrating how a boy from modest beginnings transformed into a national treasure.

“Each time I watch Salah, I can feel my father’s joy,” shares Lamisse El-Sadek at the Dentists Cafe in Cairo’s eastern district. The cafe, named after the former owner’s profession, has become a gathering point for Liverpool fans, eagerly watching matches on a large screen. Lamisse proudly wears a Liverpool jersey emblazoned with her father’s name on the back. “He unfortunately passed away two years ago,” she adds, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “Every Liverpool game brought us immense joy, and even when I was preoccupied with school or work, my father would text me updates minute by minute.”

What resonates most profoundly is how Salah rose from humble beginnings. “He didn’t come from privilege; he worked tirelessly and made sacrifices to reach this level. Many of us see our own struggles reflected in him,” Lamisse explains.

Nagrig, nestled amidst lush fields of jasmine and watermelons, resembles a pastoral scene where water buffalos, cows, and donkeys coexist with modern vehicles. This is where Salah, affectionately dubbed the ‘Egyptian King,’ spent his formative years. El-Saadany emphasizes, “Salah’s family is the pillar of his success. They embody humility, values, and respect, which is why people adore them so much.” The youth center has recently undergone significant upgrades in tribute to Salah, featuring a state-of-the-art green playing surface that rivals many professional training grounds.

“Salah’s family made countless sacrifices during his early years,” El-Saadany continues, standing beside a large photograph of Salah holding the Champions League trophy. “Their unwavering support, especially from his father and uncle, who chairs this center, has been instrumental in his journey.” Salah’s influence permeates Nagrig, where children wear Liverpool and Egypt kits, showcasing his name and number with pride. A mural of Salah adorns the wall of his former school, while a tuk-tuk zips by, its front proudly displaying a sticker of the smiling player.

In the heart of Nagrig lies the barber shop where a teenage Salah would get his hair cut after training. Ahmed El Masri, the barber, fondly recalls, “I gave him that curly hairstyle and the beard. His friends joked about him coming here, but he always did. The next day they’d be amazed at how good he looked!”

As we board a cramped Suzuki van on the outskirts of Nagrig, memories of Salah’s arduous journey to training at Arab Contractors come rushing back. “It was both a challenging and costly journey, and he often traveled alone. Just imagine a child leaving at 10 am and returning at midnight. It required immense strength and determination—only someone with a clear goal could endure such a burden,” El-Saadany reflects.

Once we squeeze into the van, we head toward Basyoun, the first leg of Salah’s regular trek to Cairo. From there, he would transfer buses multiple times before finally reaching his destination. After lengthy training sessions, he would endure the same exhausting journey back home.

The ubiquitous white microbuses that zip around Cairo are a hallmark of the city, catering to over 10 million inhabitants, according to journalist Wael El-Sayed. These vehicles handle nearly 80% of the city’s commuters. As we drive into Cairo, a massive electronic billboard switches from an ice cream advertisement to an image of Salah accompanied by the Arabic word ‘shukran,’ meaning ‘thank you.’

At a nearby office, Diaa El-Sayed, one of the most influential coaches in Salah’s career, reminisces about the time Salah made his mark on the global scene during the 2011 Under-20 World Cup in Colombia. “The country was in turmoil during that revolution, making preparations challenging,” recalls ‘Captain Diaa.’ “Salah stood out for his speed and focus. His ability to listen and work hard has propelled him far. He truly deserves his success.”

El-Sayed humorously recalls advising Salah to avoid defending in his own penalty area. “During a match against Argentina, he fell back to defend and gave away a penalty. I laughed and told him, ‘Why are you defending? You can’t defend!’ After Liverpool’s Premier League triumph, I heard him mention that his current coach advises him not to defend. I was the first coach to tell him that!”

Having represented Egypt for 14 years, Salah’s importance transcends football; his injuries have prompted government officials to intervene. Dr. Mohamed Aboud, the national team’s medic, recalls the intense pressure during Salah’s shoulder injury in the 2018 Champions League final. “I even received calls from Egypt’s Minister of Health during that time,” Dr. Aboud reveals. “I was younger then, and the pressure was immense.” Thankfully, Salah recovered to play in the World Cup, though Egypt exited early after losses to Uruguay, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.

Former assistant coach Mahmoud Fayez reflects on Salah’s vital role in Egypt’s World Cup qualification campaign, stating, “He contributed to every single goal we scored. When he netted a dramatic last-minute penalty against Congo to secure our spot in the World Cup, it was euphoric. Imagine a nation of nearly 120 million waiting for that moment. He made us all proud!”

In Cairo, a football academy named ‘The Maker,’ founded by former striker Mido, aims to nurture the next generation of players. Mido recalls, “I became the youngest player to represent Egypt at just 17. I understand the weight of expectations, and Salah embodies that same spirit.” During our visit, young players were learning about the mental discipline required to succeed, with a coach emphasizing, “Salah’s success stems from his daily focus on mental strength.”

Returning to Nagrig, we meet Rashida, a 70-year-old vegetable vendor, who shares how Salah has transformed her life and the lives of countless others in the community. “Mohamed is a good man—respectful and kind, like a brother to us,” she says. Many in the village have benefitted from the Mohamed Salah Charity Foundation, which supports orphans, divorced and widowed women, and the impoverished. “When he visits, he remains grounded, walking around in regular clothes, never flaunting his success,” adds Hassan Bakr from the foundation. “People adore him for his humility and generosity.”

Salah’s charitable initiatives extend to funding a new post office, an ambulance unit, a religious institute, and even land for a sewage station, among various projects. When Liverpool clinched the English league title for a record-equalling 20th time, fans gathered in Nagrig to celebrate their beloved star.

With excitement building for the 2025-26 season, will Nagrig see more celebrations? Despite his successes with Liverpool, Salah is yet to secure a trophy with his national team. The generation preceding him won three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations titles from 2006 to 2010, but Egypt has faced heartbreak in finals since then. With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations commencing on December 21, the question looms: will Salah deliver on the international stage?

“Salah has already cemented his legacy as the greatest Egyptian footballer in history,” says Mido. “He doesn’t need to prove anything more; he’s a legend for Liverpool and for Egypt.”

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