Former Egyptian striker Mido has fiercely defended Mohamed Salah after Manchester United legend Paul Scholes criticised the Liverpool forward’s form, calling the remarks “unthinkable” for an English player.
Salah faces a challenging season, struggling to replicate the standards that made him one of world football’s elite.
With only four goals and two assists in 13 Premier League matches so far, the Egyptian international has come under scrutiny for his diminished attacking output and limited defensive contribution.
Criticism intensified after Scholes, speaking on a podcast, labelled Salah “the worst player to have been named the best player in the world,” suggesting that his past successes were more down to luck than skill.
Scholes even hinted that Liverpool manager Arne Slot might soon consider leaving Salah out of the squad.
Mido, a former international who played in England, responded sharply on the Rokna podcast, accusing Scholes of unfair treatment and defending Salah’s achievements.
“Salah deserves more respect from the British media. His career is a true miracle on every level.
He is a victim of racism,” Mido said, emphasising the exceptional nature of Salah’s journey and contributions to the game.
He called the critique from Scholes “unthinkable” for a player from the Premier League, highlighting the cultural and racial dimensions of the debate.
The controversy has sparked widespread discussion in football circles, with fans and pundits weighing in on whether criticism of Salah reflects performance issues or biases within the media.
Mido’s remarks underline the deep admiration for Salah in Egypt and across the footballing world, and the pressure on the Liverpool star to respond on the pitch remains immense.
As Liverpool navigate a difficult season, Salah must find form and regain his attacking influence to silence critics, prove his ongoing value to the team, and continue building on a career that has already left a historic mark in English and international football.
