Mohamed Salah hailed as ‘Leo Salah’ after Trabzonspor thrash Galatasaray

Former Turkey international Nihat Kahveci compared Mohamed Salah with Lionel Messi after the Egyptian forward inspired Trabzonspor to a 4-0 victory over Galatasaray in the Turkish league on Saturday.

Salah opened the scoring after three minutes and completed his hat-trick with goals in the 44th and 80th minutes. Noah Saviolo added Trabzonspor’s second in the 39th minute after being set up by the Egypt captain.

The result moved Trabzonspor up to fifth place with 10 points, while Galatasaray remain top on 13 points. It also cut the gap between the two sides from a potential nine points to three.

Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk was sent off in the 72nd minute after protesting a decision. Lesley Ugochukwu, who had come on in the 69th minute, was also shown a red card in the 87th minute following a VAR review.

Kahveci said Trabzonspor had delivered a statement to the rest of the league with their performance.

“It was a very good match,” he said. “The Black Sea region is rainy, especially as there was heavy rain yesterday. Today, Trabzonspor rained on Galatasaray with a 4-0 victory and a wonderful performance in front of their supporters.”

He added: “Trabzonspor wanted to send a message to everyone: ‘I am here to compete in this league too.’”

Kahveci had described the match as a final before kick-off, because a defeat would have left Trabzonspor nine points behind leaders Galatasaray.

“They won that final, reduced the gap with the leaders to three points and raised their total to 10,” he said.

The former Turkey player reserved particular praise for Salah, whose display prompted the comparison with Argentina great Lionel Messi.

“I do not know what I should say about Salah,” Kahveci said, according to Turkish newspaper Hurriyet. “In my opinion, he is Leo Salah for those who understand.”

He continued: “He receives the ball in the middle of the pitch, dribbles, thinks and then scores. That is what happened with the last goal.”

Kahveci also highlighted Salah’s contribution to Saviolo’s goal.

“He scored the first goal and then said to Saviolo, ‘Go on, take it,’ and Saviolo finished the move brilliantly,” he said.

“In a resounding 4-0 win, there are stars and good players, but there are also shining stars. Salah said today: ‘I am a shining star.’ He deserves the applause. He is a great player.”

Trabzonspor’s next match after the international break will be away to Samsunspor, while Galatasaray will host Kasimpasa.