Mohamed Salah’s Trabzonspor move carries reminder of Jose Mourinho’s bleak Turkish football verdict

Mohamed Salah’s move to Trabzonspor has been met with excitement in Turkey, but Jose Mourinho’s previous criticism of the Turkish league has raised questions about the challenge facing the Liverpool legend.

Salah has joined the Turkish club on a two-year contract, with an annual salary of up to 17m euros. The agreement also includes additional commercial benefits, including advertising-related payments and a share of shirt sales that could reach 20%.

The transfer has dominated the sporting conversation in recent hours, with opinions divided over whether Salah can reproduce the success he enjoyed during his previous spells at the highest level.

Trabzonspor supporters gave the Egypt international a historic welcome following his arrival, underlining the scale of expectations surrounding one of the most prominent names in Arab and world football. The reception has intensified interest in the move and fuelled speculation about how quickly Salah can adapt to his new surroundings.

However, several experts have questioned the decision because they believe the Turkish league is weaker than Europe’s leading domestic competitions. Their concerns have brought renewed attention to comments made by Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho during his time in charge of Fenerbahce.

Mourinho offered a deeply negative assessment of the competition while managing in Turkey, arguing that it attracted little interest outside the country.

“No one outside follows this dark and gloomy league,” Mourinho said.

He later added: “My league smells bad, but in the end this is my job and I have to adapt to it”.

Those remarks are now being presented as a warning for Salah as he begins the next stage of his career. The Egyptian forward is expected to make the most of the move both on and off the pitch, while dealing with the difference between Turkish football and the major leagues in which he has previously competed.

Salah’s arrival gives Trabzonspor a figure capable of attracting unprecedented attention, as well as a player with a proven record at the highest level. His reputation, however, also means that his performances will be closely monitored from the start of his two-season spell.

The financial terms of the deal reflect his status. Alongside his salary, the potential income from advertising and shirt sales makes the transfer one of the most significant in the club’s recent history. The agreement could provide Salah with a substantial commercial return if the expected interest in his arrival continues.

For Trabzonspor, the challenge will be to convert the excitement surrounding the signing into sustained success. For Salah, Mourinho’s assessment serves as a reminder that the move will require adaptation, particularly after years competing in a stronger and more globally followed football environment.

The 17m-euro annual package and the enthusiastic response from supporters have made the transfer a major talking point. The next test will be whether Salah can turn that anticipation into performances that meet the expectations attached to his name.