Since moving to the Trabzonspor club in August after departing Liverpool, Mohamed Salah has transformed into a major cultural icon in Turkey. Representatives of Salah did not respond to requests for comment for this story.
His arrival has sparked a wave of enthusiasm, most visibly manifested at a remote highland site outside the city of Trabzon, where the Egyptian star was recently photographed sitting on a small boulder. Fans are now trekking to this secluded location, which has become an unlikely tourist destination, to replicate the image.
This surge in popularity, often described as Salah-mania, has provided a significant emotional lift for Turkish football supporters. The national mood had been notably low following a disappointing performance by Turkey’s team during their first World Cup appearance in 24 years, where they exited the tournament without scoring a goal. Which had been dashed months earlier when Turkey’s national team played in its first World Cup in 24 years only to exit the tournament without scoring any goals, his arrival came as a much-needed boost to Turkish soccer fans’ spirits. And its team, where Istanbul’s jailed Mayor Ekrem İmamoglu was a board member before stepping into politics, is the city’s crown jewel, the local economy runs on agriculture and tourism.
The impact of his presence was evident during a recent match against Besiktas. Fan Sinan Mor, dressed in a traditional thobe and team-colored shemagh with custom sunglasses reading MO SALAH, expressed optimism about the season: “God willing, we will win the championship title with him this year.” Besiktas had been in active negotiations to sign the forward, but club President Serdar Adalı noted that the deal collapsed due to disputes over agent commission fees.
The “Salah rock” has seen a steady stream of visitors, with journalists documenting 46 individuals making the trek within a two-hour window. Supporters like 44-year-old Mustafa Bektas traveled from as far as Sakarya to view the site, noting that attracting a global superstar to such a remote area holds immense cultural significance for local fans. Ahead of the match, Associated Press journalists who visited the “Salah rock” counted 46 visitors within two hours. According to if you can bring a global superstar to one of the most remote highland villages in Trabzon, that means something to us,”, Mustafa Bektas, a 44-year-old Trabzon supporter who travelled from Sakarya in western Turkey for the game and made the trek to pose on the boulder. Then the 73-year-old jumped through a small river to sit on the “Salah rock.”. He signed up for the package and flew to Trabzon for two days.
Art and merchandise celebrating the star have permeated the city. Muralist Yildiray Yildirim reported high demand for Salah-themed artwork after painting a piece depicting the forward in his Trabzonspor kit near a local park. Meanwhile, on Google Maps, the club stadium has been humorously dubbed the Mohamed Salah Camii, or mosque, reflecting the intense devotion of his new fanbase.
At 34, Salah’s move to a lower-tier European league, which some might consider the later stages of a career, has instead initiated a revitalization. While his final stint at Liverpool involved a public rift with manager Arne Slot and a modest tally of 12 goals, his time in Turkey has seen him rediscover his form. He currently leads the Turkish Super League in scoring, having netted a decisive goal in the recent derby against Besiktas. Had a public falling out with coach Arne Slot, and in March announced he would leave, he scored only 12 goals. The stands roared every time Salah touched the ball. Which ranks fifth, just under Trabzon, would be leading Turkey’s Super League if Salah was playing for them, he believes that Besiktas.
The atmosphere at the 41,000-seat stadium has been electrified, with crowds chanting his name throughout the match. Trabzonspor defender Chibuike Nwaiwu noted that the team benefits immensely from the quality and character he brings to the pitch. The club has experienced a massive surge in digital engagement, gaining one million new followers on social media since the signing. With capacity for more than 41,000 people, were full on Monday, nearly all the seats in Trabzonspor’s stadium. He is a top player and a very good guy,” Nigerian defender Chibuike Nwaiwu, Trabzonspor’s centre-back, told reporters. “He brings a lot of quality to the team.”. Trabzon, a city of nearly a million people on Turkey’s Black Sea coast, is known for its green valleys, steep hills, a Byzantine-era monastery and locals with punchy accents.
The regional economy is also benefiting from the star power. In August, new direct flights between Cairo and Trabzon were inaugurated to accommodate expected tourism demand. Travel agent Ibrahim Eyupoglu has successfully curated packages that include match tickets, tours of the “Salah rock,” and official club merchandise, noting that the stadium is now consistently full, even during previously quiet fixtures.
Seventy-three-year-old fan Mustapha Sabbagh, who has followed Salah for 15 years from Lebanon, recently participated in such a tour. “Salah is the love of my heart.
He has the magic touch,” Sabbagh said, smiling as he waded through a river to reach the iconic boulder. According to he has the magic touch,” Sabbagh, As he looked at his soaking-wet shoes and trousers with a big smile. “It’s worth it.”.
Even rival supporters recognize his influence; 22-year-old Besiktas fan Muhammed Mert Murat admitted, “The man is a star,” while acknowledging the beautiful connection the city has formed with the player. Still, he acknowledged, “There is a beautiful love for him here.”.
