Mohamed Salah, the esteemed player of Liverpool and the Egyptian national team, has developed a unique approach to addressing continuous criticisms indirectly leveled against him.
Throughout his football journey, “Mo” has distinguished himself by not adhering to the conventional methods of responding to unwarranted attacks, such as engaging in press conferences or televised interviews.
Since boarding the plane bound for Basel in 2012 to commence his professional career, Salah adopted a different strategy.
“Maybe this is the difference between me and others.
We haven’t been rigorously trained here in Egypt,” expressed Salah during a press conference in March 2018, announcing a partnership between his English club and an Egyptian bank.
These words underscored the disparity in mentality, emphasizing that his mindset, unshaped by traditional schooling, makes them somewhat less resilient and less inclined to extensive learning.
Salah’s mentality guides him not to impulsively react and respond in anticipated ways to the snares set by his critics.
On two occasions, Mo has conveyed his approach to dealing with detractors.
The latest instance occurred two days ago when he shared on Instagram a snippet from the book “Breaking the Mold” by psychologist Mohamed Taha.
The excerpt reads, “They want you to be conventional, ordinary, like them.
Don’t ask, don’t think, don’t feel.
They want you not to risk, not to resist.”
This is not the first time Mo has turned to personal development to counter his critics.
In July 2018, he posted an image of himself reading “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck – A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life” by American author Mark Manson.
The book contains stories encouraging readers to apply wisdom in their lives.
Dr. Jamal Froueiz, a mental health consultant at the Military Academy, sheds light on Salah’s choice to respond through personal development.
“Mo Salah is influenced by European culture, where people tend to read during idle times, be it in the metro or airports.
He deliberately conveys indirect messages to his critics, as he knows they will engage with his choice of literature.”
Froueiz adds, “His message in ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck’ was that he won’t be swayed, and in the excerpt from ‘Breaking the Mold,’ he sends a message that he won’t change his behavior for anyone trying to convince him otherwise.”
Dr. Saeed Sadek, Professor of Political Sociology at Egypt-Japan University, offers insights into why some sections of the public attack Salah for his stances that do not align with their preferences.
“Firstly, we must understand that celebrities are obligated to adopt causes since millions follow them, making their words impactful.
They are perceived as their own media platforms, known as ‘celebrity recruitment.’
Sometimes, celebrities embrace issues, and other times they may not care.
Mohamed Salah is a football player living in an environment that could cause trouble if he participated in a cause the way they want.
He might contribute but in his own way, like through donations, for instance.”
He concludes, “Salah is attempting to shift the narrative.
He is interested in specific issues and sends a message that he won’t engage in a battle that harms him significantly.”
Salah’s unwavering stance not only enhances his image as a football icon but also contributes positively to the perception of Muslims and Arabs as not being synonymous with terrorism.
If he were to depart from Liverpool, he might lose relevance, as many have supported the cause in different ways.
Did Israel stop the war?” poses Sadek, highlighting Salah’s unique role and the complexities he faces in the public eye.
