In the conversation, the Liverpool and Egypt player discusses his career and how he came to be among the most well-known football players worldwide.
A later cover story for GQ Middle East will centre on Mohamed Salah, the star of both Egypt and Liverpool. Salah’s first-ever photo shoot for the magazine and an exclusive chat with him will both be featured in the story.
The interview examines how the 26-year-old football star went from humble beginnings in Egypt to honing his trade in Europe and rising to become one of the most well-known players in the world. It also celebrates Salah’s ascent to recognition as a cultural hero.
The Manchester picture shoot, which saw Salah wearing items from Cartier, Burberry, Off-White, Prada, Stone Island, Dunhill, Y-3, and Ermeneglido Zegna, was styled by Buzz White and Olivia Harding.
In the article, he discusses a range of topics, including how he felt when he got his first contract.
He said, “I decided at that point that I had to play professional football.” “I wasn’t going to let this chance slip by.” “Don’t let this slip from your hands” was one of my first important decisions.
He also spoke of the significance of his father in his achievements.
“I used to complain that I didn’t want to travel to training for four hours. However, he gave me encouragement and told me that all great sportsmen go through similar things,” he stated. “Despite the extremely high cost he paid, I will always remember the part he played in my career.”
After rising to prominence at Liverpool, Salah said, “It makes me want to work harder and to continue performing.”
“Because if your standards drop after that, people won’t accept it.” It’s a nice feeling, but I don’t see it as more pressure,” he went on.
Young football players who look up to Salah also receive advice from him.
I was never going to get anything easy. Nothing good ever happens. I went through every stage a football player might go through. Moving from an Arab country to Europe, you realise that everything has changed, including the food, the way people communicate, and the standards of living. You don’t know what to do,” he said. “You then begin to organise yourself in order to reach your goals after that. If you give up, you won’t ever get out of your house. That’s not insulting in the slightest; if that’s what you desire, then fine.
The interview and photo session also come with a behind-the-scenes movie.
“At this point, Mo Salah is among the most impressive athletes in the world,” said Adam Baidawi, Editor-in-Chief of GQ Middle East. It gives us great pleasure to release his very first GQ cover.
