Egypt’s opening game in the group stage of the 2025 AFCON wasn’t one to miss. After going a goal down to Zimbabwe, Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush levelled the scoreline in what was ultimately deemed to end as a stalemate.
Things took a turn for the better for the Pharaohs when captain Mohamed Salah scored the winner in stoppage time, guaranteeing his team all three points while becoming the first ever Egyptian player to score at five different AFCON tournaments.
Ahead of the fixture, a picture of Salah’s shin-pads found itself circulating the internet courtesy of Egyptian journalist Ismael Mahmoud.
The shin-pads had his name, ‘Mo Salah’, written in white and black colours on top of a white and red background, the colours of the Egyptian flag.
They also featured the ‘Golden Eagle of Saladin’, a powerful national emblem in the centre white stripe of the Egyptian flag symbolising strength, freedom, and Arab nationalism.
The shinpads also show memorable pictures of Salah celebrating Egypt’s famous 2017 win against DR Congo in the World Cup Qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Having last featured in 1990, the Pharaohs were guaranteed a spot in the group stages for the World Cup in Russia through their star man scoring a brace, ultimately starting a pitch invasion at full-time.
He even paid tribute to his first ever professional club, El Mokawloon where he scored 11 goals in 36 appearances during his two year tenure at the club from 2010 to 2012.
What makes it special
The mega tribute of his stellar career would’ve been incomplete without the mention of the club that made him who he is today, Liverpool FC.
The Egyptian was a critical part of the squad that helped them win their first ever Premier League title in their history in 2020, while repeating the milestone again in a dominating manner last season.
Despite the recent drama before heading for his international duties for the 2025 AFCON, his love for the club and the fans remains prosperous as ever, especially after their Premier League triumph last season where the Egyptian won the Player of the Season, Golden Boot and the Playmaker award.
The shin-pads featured the iconic ‘This is Anfield’ sign which is always present on the stairs of the players’ walkout tunnel at Anfield.
It was installed by legendary manager Bill Shankly to intimidate opponents and inspire his players, who often touch it for good luck while proceeding towards the pitch.
Also featured was a picture from 2017 from his first day at Anfield as a Liverpool player, unbeknownst to him at the time of the glorious career that awaited him.
In his eight years of being at Merseyside, he has scored 250 goals in 421 appearances across all competitions.
Arguably becoming the greatest player in Liverpool history, he remains their all-time leading goalscorer in Premier League and European competitions.
@teaandchips The Liverpool emblem, But Carragher has the right to bash him for weeks on end because it’s “his” club and not Salah’s and all he cares about is himself.
@addszino1 Scouse as you get our Mo
@ArtGridGoal Takes Liverpool with him wherever he goes. Unlike @Carra23 who uses the club to further his media career.
@_gerrardlucas The This is Anfield sign
@danlfcynwa_ The “This is Anfield” sign. This is his club as well.
@espnfootballhub Mohamed Salah arrived at LFC to make history, but now, he has become the history of the club itself. Today, mentioning the club’s name is synonymous with mentioning his; you cannot speak of LFC. without speaking of Salah, and you cannot speak of Salah without speaking of LFC
@Sylvia09311601 As always. He’s there whenever needed
@FooTMinD99 Mohamed Salah is an iconic footballer who hasn’t been given the credit he deserves
@Atulegwu_ Inevitable
@olaradwan10 I know my captain
@migoxahlawy who else
@ShegunFunmiTips One of the most underrated player
@Gullitie Slot and FIFA refuse to admit he was the world best and still one of the best
