VIDEO: Reading made me a better player, Mohamed Salah tells audience at SIBF

Mahmoud Ads, Staff Reporter

In an interview at the Expo Center, which is hosting the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Egyptian star Mohamed Salah graciously shared some insights into what he believes has contributed to his success as a football player and one of the best players in the world today.

He also emphasised the value of reading, perseverance and learning from the experiences of others.

Four hours prior to the commencement of the meeting, a large number of individuals gathered at the place forming a lengthy queue, situated amidst the implementation of specific organisational procedures.

Mohamed Salah subsequently made an appearance within the hall, accompanied by a considerable volume of enthusiastic cheering from his supporters.

He proceeded to elucidate the circumstances that led to his attainment of international renown, additionally disclosing the role that literature has played in influencing his sporting career.

Salah stated that he reads extensively, emphasising the importance of books in shaping one's personality and worldview.

“I engage with a plethora of reading books and audiovisual content with the objective of acquiring knowledge. During my transfer to Chelsea in 2014, I experienced significant challenges initially due to a lack of playing opportunities. Rather than attributing these difficulties to external factors, I engaged in reading as a means of exploring alternative perspectives on life and maintaining my self-confidence. Indeed, the act of reading has contributed to my development as a player, enabling me to become the star that I am today,” Salah told the audience.

He proceeded to speak further on the subject, “Reading provides insight into optimal training regimens, nutritional guidelines, and the importance of developing healthy habits. It provides an education, equipping the reader with knowledge that is acquired over time through continuous experimentation and learning. When one engages with literature pertaining to one's field of study, it undoubtedly facilitates more effective navigation of the circumstances encountered therein.”

He recounted his experiences and his departure from Egypt at the age of 19, where he initially pursued a career in professional football with Basel in Switzerland. Initially, he encountered significant challenges due to his limited proficiency in English.

However, he gradually adapted to life and living abroad and was selected as the most accomplished player in his club. He subsequently joined Chelsea, followed by Fiorentina in Italy, Roma, and finally Liverpool.

Salah disclosed that he had devoted considerable time to reading in history and psychology. He asserted that an individual's capacity to understand themselves is a crucial step towards personal growth. Furthermore, he proposed that it is beneficial to gain an understanding of oneself before attempting to comprehend others.

In his own words, Salah stated that he became a more accomplished player because of his initial decision to set a goal for himself. He takes pride in his role as a role model for young people and the emerging generation. However, this did not result in a significant alteration to his lifestyle, as he continues to live in accordance with his personal values.

He also Salah stated that he enjoys all the activities he is passionate about and does not adhere to the lifestyle choices of others. He has a clear sense of purpose and direction in life.

He states, "When you love yourself, you can love others."

The Egyptian star discussed the origins of his career, highlighting the value he placed on learning from foreign players, particularly in terms of training and lifestyle. Upon reaching their level of expertise, he began to contemplate ways of surpassing them, with the aim of demonstrating to the world that Arab players could also achieve success.

He disclosed that his daughter Makka lives a conventional life devoid of the noise of fame, and that he forbids her from carrying a mobile phone or using social media. This is done for her protection and to ensure that she can live a normal life.

He stated emphatically that he had been following Sharjah in the UAE league ever since Bosnian Bianch, his former Roma teammate, joined the team.