Mohamed Salah has cited four legendary figures who’ve served as his role models earlier in his career, with Francesco Totti featuring on the list. The Egyptian King’s rise to footballing royalty at Liverpool owes much to the influence of past greats he revered in his youth.
Salah grew up idolizing a golden era of soccer players whose prowess on the pitch is set to leave a lasting legacy. Having shared the field with Roma legend Totti, Salah witnessed first-hand the qualities that made him a World Cup champion.
Other inspirations for Salah include football virtuosos Zinedine Zidane and Brazilian superstar Ronaldo, both Ballon d’Or laureates. Cristiano Ronaldo, too, has lent a blueprint of dedication and performance for Salah, whose own goalscoring record is nothing short of remarkable.
In a chat with Liverpool’s official YouTube channel, Salah expressed his admiration: “I love the way Ronaldo [of Brazil] was playing and [Zinedine] Zidane and [Francesco] Totti. These guys, I always looked at them and they just enjoy the game.”
He also noted Ronaldo’s influence as he transitioned into European football: “Cristiano was also the one when I started playing in Europe more, you see the way he dedicated everything to football is insane, the way he looks after himself. You can see everything, his numbers.
“But these guys I looked at when I was young and I just wished to play one game with them, or to be like them one day. I had a good opportunity to play with Totti and I played with him for two years in Rome. It was an incredible time, I just loved it. He was incredible to be fair and his technique was insane. Very, very good person as well.”
Totti once claimed that Salah had become “a player that changes any game it at any time” after seeing him go to new heights when he swapped Roma for Liverpool in 2017.
Salah’s quality has been backed up by trophies with the forward a Premier League and Champions League winner at Anfield. But he could now be into his final year with Liverpool if a new deal can’t be agreed, and he is eyeing every piece of silverware still on offer in what could be a glorious swansong.
He said on his ambitions at Anfield this year: “Win it all. In my opinion, I work so hard every day, I hate the idea that we are underdogs. No, we have an incredible group, one of the best in the world. In each position, you’re going to find players that are really one of the top three in the world. So, why don’t we win it? This city and this club has to always fight for everything.”
Liverpool.com says: Salah speaking about wanting to replicate Ronaldo’s longevity is just another reminder about his contract situation. The Reds simply cannot afford to lose him for nothing in 2025 when he remains so central to everything Liverpool does.