Egyptian star Mohamed Salah gave an interview to "Trabzonspor Magazine" on the club's official YouTube channel, discussing his motivations for achieving success throughout his professional journey.
Salah revealed, in statements reported by Turkey's Anadolu Agency, the motivation behind his pursuit of success, saying: "That is the reason; I have always sought to find a source of motivation to continue my career, and that is why I am here now."
The Trabzonspor star added: "I have achieved a lot in my professional career, but I am looking to take on a new challenge, and that is why I am here. I hope we can achieve success both domestically and in Europe."
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Salah continued, reflecting on his strong impact in the English Premier League: "It is a wonderful feeling for any player to earn the respect of their opponents. This feeling makes me satisfied and proud of what I have achieved. I know well some of the names mentioned; I worked with Jürgen Klopp and still keep in touch occasionally with Steven Gerrard."
When asked about his teammates' reactions to the grand reception he received at Trabzonspor, Salah said: "I spoke with everyone I know, and some of my Liverpool teammates called me. I remain in close contact with Szoboszlai. It was amazing because they had never seen anything like this for a player who hadn't yet played a single match for the club. The footage also spread online; it wasn't just my family and friends who saw it—perhaps the whole world did."
Regarding the possibility of having to play for Trabzonspor against Liverpool, Salah confirmed: "I would feel mixed emotions. I spent nine years there, I love the city and the fans, and I share a special bond with them, so it would be extremely difficult."
Salah recalled taking four different buses to reach training sessions during his childhood, and the Egyptian feels he still possesses the same ambition and motivation.
Salah resumed: "My mother was constantly worried about me, but I didn't see that as a problem. I truly wanted to play football. If you are a child, say fourteen or fifteen years old, and you desire something intensely but consider it a burden, then that becomes the problem. As for me, I enjoyed playing football in Cairo, so I went out and played the game, and I didn't feel those difficulties too much."
Commenting on being regarded as a symbol of hope for children in Egypt, Africa, and the world, Salah said: "This is somewhat a delicate topic. This was one of my goals when I left Egypt; I wanted to do something different that no other Egyptian footballer had done before. I thank God for this because I believe I have succeeded. When you look at people, you see hope in their eyes when they see you. You give them hope, and that is why this represents a source of pride more than anything else. I don't consider it pressure; rather, I feel proud seeing that what I have achieved and continue to achieve in my life is something special."
Salah affirmed: "I began changing some negative traits in my personality during my professional career, and that helped me greatly in adapting to different cultures. I played in Switzerland, Italy, England, and now I am in Turkey, having also played in Egypt. Every person and every country has its own culture, rules, and different ways of handling things, and I had to adapt to that."
Adding regarding his hobbies, Salah said he enjoys playing tennis and chess. Speaking about his time with Egyptians, he noted: "Being among Egyptians has a unique character. When I go on vacation and am with a group of Egyptians, the atmosphere is distinctive. We understand each other and grasp the meaning of our shared jokes, which is why I miss those moments. When I am there, I love going out to watch people interacting on balconies or sitting in a car watching life pass by around me. Even the scent of the air alone makes me feel comfortable and happy."
Concluding with the advice he would give to his younger self, Salah said: "I would tell him: 'We have had an amazing journey. We suffered a lot and faced great challenges along the way, but ultimately we achieved great accomplishments, and I am proud of every moment I lived.'"
