Mohamed Salah: Egyptian king - where it all began for Liverpool star

Mohamed Salah's football career began in his hometown village of Nagrig, located approximately three hours north of Cairo, as recalled by one of his first coaches. The coach, Ghamry Abd El-Hamid El-Saadany, opened the newly renovated youth center gates in Nagrig and described Salah's exceptional ball control and movement, noting that even as a young boy, he stood out for his powerful shots and remarkable determination despite being smaller than his peers.

As a seven-year-old, Salah played football on the streets of Nagrig with friends, often emulating iconic players such as Brazil's Ronaldo, France's Zinedine Zidane, and Italy's Francesco Totti. His coach highlighted that Salah performed skills beyond the capabilities of older teammates, and the artificial pitch at the youth center has since been named in his honor to commemorate his origins.

At 33 years old, Salah is preparing for his ninth season with Liverpool, where he has scored 245 goals in 402 league and cup appearances since joining in 2017. He has secured every major domestic trophy and the Champions League with Liverpool but has not yet achieved success with the Egyptian national team.

With the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in December and the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, BBC Sport visited Egypt to explore Salah's profound significance in the football-obsessed nation of 115 million people. The visit aimed to understand how Salah, who rose from humble beginnings, became a national symbol of hard work and sacrifice.

In Cairo, a Liverpool fan named Lamisse El-Sadek shared a personal story at the Dentists Cafe, a gathering spot for supporters. She described how watching Salah's matches with her late father brought immense joy to their family, with her father providing minute-by-minute updates during games. Lamisse emphasized that Salah's journey from modest roots resonates deeply with Egyptians, as many see their own struggles and aspirations reflected in his achievements.