Egyptian football icon Mohamed Salah, currently a star forward for Liverpool FC, recently shared his admiration for several legendary players who influenced his style on the pitch.
Speaking with Liverpool’s official website, Salah reflected on his appreciation for football greats who inspired him with their skill and sportsmanship.
“I love the way the phenomenon Ronaldo played, as well as Zinedine Zidane and Francesco Totti,” Salah said, naming the Brazilian forward and the French midfield maestro as his early inspirations.
“When I started playing in Europe, I also admired Cristiano Ronaldo and everything he accomplished in his football career.”
Salah’s connection to one of these legends was more personal. “I played with Totti for two years in Rome.
He was a very good person,” Salah remarked, reflecting on his time at AS Roma where he shared the pitch with the Italian forward, widely regarded as one of football’s all-time greats.
In the interview, Salah also spoke about a pivotal moment in his own career: the 2019 Champions League final penalty against Tottenham Hotspur, a moment that still lingers in his memory.
He explained how he had practiced aiming for the other side throughout the week but made a last-minute decision during the match.
“Just before I took the shot, I changed my mind about where I was going to place the ball. I had trained all week to go the other way,” he revealed.
“When I struck the ball, I felt bad about changing my decision, and even now, whenever I re-watch that shot, I wonder, ‘Why did I change my mind?’” Salah admitted.
Despite this, he noted that such moments are a part of the game, adding, “Sometimes, when you’ve trained well and things don’t go as planned, don’t be sad.
You’ve done everything you could, but luck wasn’t on your side.”
Reflecting on the immense pressure of the Champions League final, Salah acknowledged, “I was under a lot of pressure, and I think that’s why I changed my mind.
After all, it was the Champions League final.”
Salah’s words offer fans a glimpse into the mindset of a top athlete as he continues to draw motivation from the legends who came before him, and the high-stakes moments that shape his career.
