Hafiz Draji questions whether Mohamed Salah should have chosen a bigger challenge

Algerian football commentator Hafiz Draji has criticised Mohamed Salah’s move to Trabzonspor, saying the former Liverpool forward could have remained at the highest level and joined a club better equipped to match his ambitions.

Draji made his comments on Facebook after Salah’s first appearance for Trabzonspor, which came in their opening Turkish league match of the season against Kasımpasa. The game ended 1-1, with Salah introduced in the 59th minute for his debut in the Turkish club’s colours.

Writing about the transfer, Draji said: “يا خسارة” – meaning “What a shame” – and argued that the Egypt international still had the ability to compete at the highest level for several more years.

The commentator suggested that a move to one of Turkey’s leading clubs, such as Galatasaray or Fenerbahce, would have offered Salah a stronger sporting challenge. In Draji’s view, such a transfer would also have brought greater pressure and a more prominent presence in European competition.

Although he acknowledged the financial and popular appeal of joining Trabzonspor, Draji said the move did not, in his opinion, reflect the status Salah established during his years with Liverpool. His performances for the Premier League club placed him among the most recognised players in world football.

Draji made clear that his criticism was not based on a belief that Salah had lost his ability or influence. Instead, he maintained that the 33-year-old could have selected a different destination that would have provided a more demanding footballing challenge at this stage of his career.

Salah’s arrival at Trabzonspor has attracted considerable attention because of the standing he built during a successful spell with Liverpool. Each new step in his career is being closely followed by supporters, analysts and fellow commentators, making his transfer to the Turkish side a subject of widespread discussion.

His first outing for Trabzonspor came as the club began their Turkish league campaign with a draw against Kasımpasa. Salah’s introduction after 59 minutes marked the start of his latest chapter, but Draji’s reaction reflects the debate surrounding whether the move represents the most ambitious option available to a player of his reputation.

For Draji, the issue is not that Salah can no longer perform at the highest level. Rather, he believes the Egyptian could have continued competing among Europe’s elite and chosen a club offering greater competitive intensity and a clearer route to European prominence.