Mohamed Salah is preparing for a different kind of engagement away from the pitch after the Egyptian star emerged as a key topic of discussion during a recent meeting between Trabzonspor’s board and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
According to Turkish newspaper 61saat, Erdoğan expressed his desire to host Salah at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, just weeks after the Egyptian national team captain moved to the Turkish Super Lig in one of the biggest transfers in the league’s history.
The initiative began when Erdoğan received Trabzonspor President Ertuğrul Doğan and board members at Dolmabahçe Palace. When the Turkish President asked about Salah, Doğan informed him that the player was eager to meet him in person. Reports indicate that Erdoğan welcomed the idea and instructed his team to arrange the meeting at the earliest opportunity. Initial plans aimed to coordinate the meeting with the President’s visit to Rize or Samsun, but scheduling conflicts with Trabzonspor’s fixture against Konyaspor prevented it.
The meeting is set to be rescheduled according to Erdoğan’s calendar, with Salah expected to be received at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. While no official announcement confirming the exact date has been issued yet, details of the invitation remain attributed to the Turkish report.
Erdoğan’s inquiry about Salah underscores the massive impact of the Egyptian’s arrival at Trabzonspor. Reports suggest the Turkish President closely monitored the transfer—both during earlier links with Beşiktaş and following his signature with the “Black Sea Storm.” Beyond being a major sporting acquisition, Salah serves as a global ambassador, enhancing the Turkish league’s visibility across the Middle East, Africa, and international markets.
On the pitch, the “Egyptian King” has quickly begun justifying the investment. He has featured in four Super Lig matches (starting three), scoring four goals and providing one assist across 302 minutes. He has also made two appearances in the UEFA Europa League, bringing his total to six official matches for his new club.
After making his debut off the bench against Kasımpaşa, Salah scored a brace to secure a 2-1 win over Başakşehir, found the net against Amedspor, and added a goal and an assist in a 5-0 victory over Gençlerbirliği. He currently stands as top scorer for a Trabzonspor side sitting fourth in the table with seven points from their opening four matches.
Trabzonspor signed Salah on a two-year contract worth a guaranteed €17 million per season—comprising a €10 million base salary and a €7 million signing bonus—alongside performance incentives and a 20% share of personal merchandise sales. As he awaits an official date to meet Erdoğan, the move confirms that his influence in Turkey extends far beyond the pitch.
