Mo Salah and the Temptation of Saudi Arabia’s Fat Cheques!!

 

Liverpool FC Egyptian-born star, Mo Salah, was speculated to have been seriously enticed by several Saudi Arabian football clubs during the August 2023 transfer window. Salah is the most accomplished homegrown footballer from the Middle East and has broken so many records, especially in club football. Succumbing to the lure of the money-driven Saudi Arabian football revolution would be an immense achievement for his suitors, but would this enhance or diminish his impact on World football since he appears to have several seasons of top-flight European football ahead of him? Mo Salah started his career in Egypt, with Al-Mokawloon at a very tender age of about fifteen years. He moved to Switzerland, England, and Italy until finally settling with Liverpool FC in England. It wasn't so smooth for him but his exquisite skills and perseverance paid off. Some brilliant performances for Basel FC in Switzerland got Chelsea FC to sign him. He met a brick wall with Jose Mourinho, who rarely entrusted him with playing time. Salah was shipped to Roma and then sent on loan to Fiorentina FC until Liverpool FC rescued him and put his immense skill to proper use. 

Mo Salah, The Fourth Pyramid

His fellow Egyptians call him the Fourth Pyramid and others refer to him as the Pride of the Arabs. Salah's absence was hugely evident in the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup and his participation would have elicited great sentiments amongst the Arabs but they missed. He is greatly loved within the Middle East and speaks about issues such as fighting poverty, conflict resolution, and women's rights. He tries to bring a balance between the ultra-conservative cultural practices of his people and the laissez-faire approach of the West. He has been criticized for once adorning the Christmas costume with his family but it never diminished their love for him. 

The Dilemma for Mo Salah

With great footballers such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Jordan Henderson, Alexander Metrovic, Phillipe Coutinho, Kareem Benzema, Koulibaly, Roberto Firmino et al moving to the Saudi Arabian football league, the absence of Mo Salah still remains a large crater that needs to be filled. Salah has won everything in club football, played in some of Europe's biggest clubs and leagues, won several English and European laurels, the African Player of the Year Award among several other laurels, and is evidently accomplished! What could be the reason to stay much longer in Europe when he could make more money with less effort and further enhance the well-being of his people? Though less accomplished in sporting terms than Salah, Nigeria's Victor Osimhen of Napoli FC had alluded to choosing sporting ambitions over money to avoid the lure of the Saudi Football bonanza and it would be no surprise seeing Salah doing the same. If he continues to do otherwise though, it would be within his rights and possibly for nationalist considerations rather than monetary. His presence in the league would inspire several generations of Arabs to show interest in sports and also enrich the broadcasting industry with critical content to showcase the Middle East to the rest of the World. 

With the success of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and Saudi Arabia being awarded the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, deliberate strategies would be used to stimulate the development of football within the Kingdom and the entire region. Attracting Salah with some bigger carrots wouldn't be a bad strategy. With age very much on his side, cultural and nationalist sentiments also to his advantage, Salah's presence in the Saudi Arabian Football League would make him a better and more reasonable sports ambassador for the Saudi Football Revolution than any other player in the league!!