Ex-Al Ahly coach reveals missed opportunity to sign Mohamed Salah
Former Al Ahly manager, Hossam El Badry, has disclosed that he once had plans to sign Mohamed Salah during the early stages of the forward’s career. The revelation sheds light on what could have been a significant transfer in Egyptian football, before Salah opted for a European path that would later see him rise to global stardom.
Before his meteoric rise in Europe, Salah played for El Mokawloon Al Arab in the Egyptian Premier League, where he caught the attention of several clubs.
In 2012, rather than moving to a local Egyptian powerhouse, Salah made the leap to Europe, joining Swiss club FC Basel.
From there, his career progressed through brief stints at Chelsea, Fiorentina, and Roma, culminating in his transformative move to Liverpool, where he would establish himself as one of the world’s most elite footballers.
Speaking to Yallakora, El Badry revealed that during his tenure as manager of Al Ahly, he was keen on bringing Salah to the Egyptian giants.
However, those plans were thwarted by advice that ultimately sent Salah to Europe instead.
“El Mokawloon Al Arab has a reputation for producing excellent players, and Mohamed Salah is a shining example of that,” El Badry explained.
“When I was the technical director of Al Ahly, I had discussions with Mohamed Amer, who was the technical director of El Mokawloon at the time, and Mohamed Ramadan, the club’s football director, about the possibility of signing Salah.”
Despite El Badry’s interest, the move never materialized.
“The club’s management decided against it and insisted that Salah’s future lay abroad, playing professionally in Europe,” El Badry continued.
This decision proved to be a defining moment in Salah’s career, as his subsequent move to FC Basel marked the beginning of his European journey and eventual breakthrough into world-class football.
Salah’s choice to pursue a career in Europe proved to be a pivotal decision, one that saw him develop into a global superstar.
His time at Liverpool, in particular, has been nothing short of remarkable, with Salah helping the club to multiple trophies, including the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
Now regarded as one of the best players of his generation, Salah’s trajectory might have been very different had he remained in Egyptian football.
El Badry’s comments highlight the fine margins that often define the careers of top athletes and serve as a reminder of how pivotal early career decisions can be.
As Salah continues to shine on the world stage, El Badry’s revelation offers a fascinating glimpse into what could have been for Egyptian football, had the now-global star stayed closer to home.
