Trabzon fan recounts Mohamed Salah’s arrival: I couldn’t believe he was one of us
Fan Nisa Domangoz spoke about welcoming Mohamed Salah at Istanbul Airport, saying his arrival at Trabzonspor felt like a dream and she couldn’t believe he had become one of the club’s own. A BBC Sport report relayed her account of the attention the player has received in the city since joining the Turkish side.
According to the report, club president Ertuğrul Doğan advised Salah to wear the away shirt during his presentation ceremony, while his shirts sold out in Trabzon’s stores. The report also quoted a shop worker joking that the ground floor had been set aside for the player’s merchandise, and journalist Hasan Tuncel saying that most of the fans he sees on the city’s streets wear Salah’s shirt.
The report noted that Salah’s presence in Trabzon had made it easier for Arab fans to travel to watch him, with flights from Cairo, Dubai and Riyadh added since he joined. It quoted Egyptian fan Mahmoud describing the player as an ambassador for Egypt in Turkey, and also said that a rock Salah visited in one of the city’s highland areas had become known by his name and a tourist attraction.
The report also discussed Salah’s standing in the team, quoting Trabzon supporters’ association member Kerim Tunyali as describing him as the third most important football star in Turkey after Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. It also noted that, although his speed has declined with age, according to the report, he has retained his agility and scoring ability, and that he hopes to lead Egypt to the next Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup.
The report said Salah’s move to Trabzon had not been expected when rumours of his departure from Liverpool began, and quoted the lawyer involved in the deal saying that fans were there to welcome him when he arrived. It added that the team had also signed Fabinho, while one fan expressed hope that Virgil van Dijk would join, and that Salah wants to make history with Trabzon as he did with Liverpool.