Mohamed Salah: Trabzonspor move driven by desire for a new challenge

Mohamed Salah says he joined Trabzonspor because he needed a fresh challenge and wanted to experience the passionate support he had missed, after receiving an emotional welcome from the Turkish club’s fans.

The Egypt international moved to Trabzonspor from Liverpool during the summer transfer window and has explained the motivation behind continuing his career despite the success he has already achieved.

“It is difficult to identify one single reason, but from a young age I knew I would not succeed without motivation,” Salah told Trabzonspor’s official channel. “So I always try to find a reason that encourages me to keep going, and that is what has brought me to where I am now.”

Salah has won many honours during his career, but said the opportunity to pursue a different objective was central to his decision to move to Turkey.

“I have won a lot of things during my career, but I want a new challenge, and that is why I am here,” he said. “I really hope we can win something special in Europe, as well as the league.”

The 33-year-old said he immediately became interested when he learned Trabzonspor were considering signing him. He recalled his previous experiences with Liverpool and Fiorentina, where he saw first-hand how strongly football could be embedded in a city’s identity.

“I searched for the best places in the city,” Salah said. “I have played for clubs such as Liverpool and Fiorentina, and I know what it is like when people are passionate about football and love it in the city. It is slightly different from playing in a capital or somewhere else.”

He added: “So when I heard the club were interested, I was immediately excited. I looked for some places and probably the best food, so I could enjoy my time as well. That was the first thing I did after learning about the club’s interest.”

‘The welcome was incredible’

Salah also highlighted his conversation with Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan as a major factor in his decision.

“His ambition and what he is trying to build inside the club – that is what convinced me,” he said.

Salah spent nine years at Liverpool and said the affection he received from the club’s supporters made Dogan’s promise of a similar relationship particularly important.

“I came from a place where I believe the fans love me a lot and always show me love and respect, because I spent nine years there,” Salah said. “So when he spoke about the love I would see here, I thought that I really wanted to see it for myself.”

That expectation was met when he arrived in Trabzon, with supporters gathering at the airport and later showing their enthusiasm inside the stadium.

“I am not an emotional person, but when you arrive at the airport, somehow I felt that this was the thing I had been missing most inside me,” Salah said.

“I really wanted to see that, but I never expected it. I never expected the welcome to be like that, either at the stadium or at the airport. I was very happy and deeply moved.”

Salah admitted that facing his former club would be difficult if Trabzonspor were drawn against Liverpool.

“If I play against Liverpool, it would be a mixed feeling,” he said. “I spent nine years there, I love the city and the fans, and we always had a special relationship, so it would be very difficult.”

Family support

The forward also spoke about the role his parents played during the early stages of his career and described the routine he has maintained before matches.

“My mother did not want me to play, and I understand why,” Salah said. “As a mother, when your son leaves home at nine in the morning and returns at 10 at night, it means you have not seen him all day.”

“My father supported me all the way. You know, a man’s heart is stronger, while a mother is more sensitive, and I mean that in a good way rather than a bad way.”

He said his mother remained worried about him despite supporting his career.

“So I received all the support from my father, and also from my mother, but she was concerned about me all the time,” Salah added.

Salah said he does not follow any elaborate pre-match rituals. Instead, he has one longstanding habit: speaking to his mother before every game.

“I do not have any particular rituals,” he said. “The only thing I do is talk to my mother. I have done that since I started playing football, and it is the only habit I make sure to keep.”

“She is the only person I speak to, and I do not know, perhaps I have been doing it for 15 or 20 years, before every match.”

Salah has made five appearances for Trabzonspor this season and scored three goals. Trabzonspor have played three Turkish league matches, winning one, drawing one and losing one. They are 11th in the table with four points.