Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly was born on June 15, 1992, in Nagrig, a small village in the Gharbia Governorate of Egypt. He's father is Salah Ghaly and he has one brother called Nasr Salah.

From a young age, his passion for football was evident. Salah began his career at El Mokawloon in Cairo, progressing through the youth ranks and making his first-team debut in the Egyptian Premier League in 2010. His early performances caught the eye of European scouts, and in 2012, he joined Swiss club Basel.

Salah started his football journey at a young age, playing for local youth teams Ittihad Basyoun and Othmason Tanta. In 2006, he joined the youth team of Al Mokawloon Al Arab at the age of 14, after being noticed by a scout. Salah had to travel three hours to attend training sessions, often missing school. By 15, he was promoted to the first-team squad, but due to his young age, he required a special diet and training program.

Salah made his senior debut on May 3, 2010, in the Egyptian Premier League. Though he initially struggled to score, his persistence paid off, and he netted his first goal on December 25, 2010, in a 1-1 draw against Al Ahly.

He became a regular player for Al Mokawloon, appearing in every game of the 2011-12 season. However, the Egyptian Premier League was suspended after the Port Said Stadium riot in February 2012, leading to the cancellation of the remainder of the season.

With the Egyptian league suspended, Swiss club Basel organized a friendly match against Egypt's under-23 team. Salah's impressive performance in this match earned him a move to Basel in April 2012. Although he initially struggled to adapt, Salah quickly made his mark.

He scored his first league goal in a 2-0 win against Lausanne-Sport and helped Basel reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League by scoring against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

Salah's performances in the 2012-13 season helped Basel win the Swiss Super League title and reach the Swiss Cup final.

In the following season, he continued his excellent form, scoring important goals in both domestic and European competitions. He was particularly impressive in the UEFA Champions League, scoring against Chelsea twice.

Salah joined Liverpool in June 2017, and his impact was immediate and profound. He set the Premier League on fire, breaking numerous records, including the highest number of goals in a 38-game season.

Salah's contributions were pivotal in Liverpool's success, leading them to the Champions League title in 2019 and their first Premier League title in 30 years in 2020. Over the years, he has amassed a plethora of individual awards, cementing his status as one of the best players in the world.

During his time at Liverpool, Salah credited manager Jürgen Klopp for enhancing his goal-scoring abilities. Klopp's request for Salah to occupy more advanced central positions allowed him to operate closer to the goal. Salah initially started his career at the left-back position; however, following a 4–0 win over the youth team of Egyptian club ENPPI, Salah was in tears for not scoring after missing several clear chances.
This incident made his coach realize his passion for scoring goals, prompting a move to a forward position.

Salah represented Egypt at both the under-20 and under-23 levels, playing in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2012 Summer Olympics. He was instrumental in Egypt's progress in both tournaments, showcasing his talent on the international stage. At the 2012 Olympics, Salah scored in all three group stage matches, helping Egypt reach the knockout stage.

Salah made his debut for the Egypt national team on September 3, 2011, in a 2–1 away defeat by Sierra Leone. He scored his first goal for Egypt's senior team in a 3–0 win against Niger on October 8, 2011, in qualifying for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Over the years, Salah has scored crucial goals in World Cup qualifiers and Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. His performances helped Egypt reach the World Cup finals in 2018 for the first time since 1990.

Despite Egypt's early exit, Salah scored two goals in the tournament. He continues to be a vital figure for the national team, recently becoming the first Egyptian to score in four different AFCON tournaments. On June 10, 2023, he earned his 100th international cap, scoring a goal in a 1–1 away draw against Guinea-Bissau during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.

Salah is renowned for his speed, dribbling ability, and finishing. A versatile forward, he primarily plays as a right winger but can also operate as an attacking midfielder or second striker. His agility, ball control, and tactical awareness make him a constant threat to defenses. Salah's playmaking has also been recognized, with significant assists in recent seasons.

He recorded 25 assists across the 2021–22 and 2022–23 Premier League seasons, compared to 33 assists across the four seasons prior to this.

Salah is regarded as one of the best players in the world and one of the greatest African players of all time. His technical skills and explosive speed have drawn comparisons to football legends like Lionel Messi. Known as the "Egyptian Messi," Salah has earned praise from coaches, pundits, and players worldwide.

José Mourinho, who signed Salah for Chelsea, described him as "young, fast, creative, and enthusiastic." Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldo also praised Salah, stating, "Salah is an incredible player with tremendous quality. He looks like Messi."

In 2013, Salah married his beloved Magi in a grand ceremony that reflected his deep connection to his roots. He extended invitations to his entire village, resulting in thousands of attendees celebrating their union.

The wedding was a vibrant affair, featuring performances by famous Egyptian singers who added to the joyous atmosphere with their captivating performances.

Salah's wife Maggi, who also hails from Nagrig has kept a low profile, focusing on her family and supporting Salah's career. They have two daughters, Makka and Kayan. Their first daughter, Makka, born in 2014, is named in honor of the Islamic holy city of Mecca. Kayan was born in 2020.

A devout Muslim, Salah celebrates goals by performing the sujud, a prostration to thank God. He has said, "It's something like praying or thanking God for what I have received, but yeah, it's just praying and praying for a win. I've always done that since I was young, everywhere."

Salah enjoys playing football on his PlayStation and has humorously confessed that "Salah in the video game is stronger than the real one." His favorite food is kushari, an Egyptian dish made from rice, pasta, and lentils, topped with spiced tomatoes, chickpeas, and onions. Salah enjoys pizza while in NYC and other places away from home

Salah's parents have also played a significant role in his life. His father, Salah Ghaly, has been particularly influential, supporting his son's career from a young age and encouraging his passion for football. Despite their humble beginnings, Salah's family has remained close-knit, with his success bringing pride to his hometown of Nagrig.

During the 2018 Egyptian presidential election, a large number of spoiled ballot papers involved voters crossing out both names and writing Salah's name instead, highlighting his immense popularity in Egypt.

Salah has a sponsorship deal with Adidas and wears a special edition Adidas X Crazyfast+ football boots called Egyptian Nights.

He appeared in an Adidas 2018 World Cup commercial alongside other players like David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba, and singer Pharrell Williams. In March 2018, Salah appeared in a Vodafone Egypt advertisement, which was released in both Arabic and English.

However, he was later "insulted" when his image was displayed on the national team's plane without his permission, as the team's official sponsor, WE, was a rival of his sponsor.

Salah is actively involved in charitable work, particularly in his hometown of Nagrig, where most people live in poverty. He has donated money to help build a school and hospital, as well as an Al-Azhar institute and an ambulance unit.

In an interview with Al-Masry Al-Youm, Salah's father claimed that his son refused to accept any financial assistance with the project. Salah has also helped numerous families by giving them monthly allowances and supported the government with a donation of approximately $300,000 during an economic crisis.

In February 2018, following a match against Tottenham, Salah donated a replica shirt to a young supporter who had been pictured wearing a jumper with Salah's name and shirt number.

In August 2022, after a fire at Abu Sefein Church in Giza, Egypt, Salah expressed his condolences and donated three million Egyptian pounds to help rebuild the church. During the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, Salah called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into the Gaza Strip and donated an undisclosed amount to support the Palestinian people.

Salah's influence extends beyond football. He is celebrated in popular culture, with murals and chants dedicated to him by Liverpool supporters. The most popular chant, "Mo Salah! Mo Salah! Running down the wing. Mo Salah la-la-la la-ahh, The Egyptian King!" reflects his iconic status. Another chant to the tune of Dodgy's "Good Enough" expressed fans' willingness to convert to Islam if Salah continued to score goals, showcasing his positive impact on inclusivity.

A 2021 study in the American Political Science Review found that Salah's transfer to Liverpool led to a 16% reduction in hate crimes in the city and a decrease in Islamophobic online rhetoric by Liverpool fans. His devoutness and charm have made him a popular figure in the UK. Salah is nicknamed "The Pharaoh" and "Egyptian King" by fans and the media.

Following his goal that led Egypt to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1990, a school in Egypt was named after him. In late June 2018, during his pre-season holiday, Salah's address was accidentally leaked on Facebook, leading to crowds of fans showing up at his house. Salah greeted the fans and signed autographs before police arrived to cordon off his house.

During Liverpool's 2018 pre-season tour in the U.S., American artist Brandan Odums created a mural in Times Square displaying Salah in the Egypt kit. Several murals of Salah have also been created in Egypt, including one in Cairo.

Salah's influence is evident in his appearances on magazine covers, including GQ Middle East and Time magazine's 2019 Time 100 edition. He is an advocate for women's equality in the Middle East, stating, "We need to change the way we treat women in our culture." English comedian and Liverpool fan John Oliver wrote Salah's feature in the Time 100 issue, describing him as "a better human being than he is a football player."

Despite being named the "GQ Middle East Man of The Year" in 2019, another GQ photoshoot with Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio caused some criticism in the Islamic world. In January 2020, it was announced that Salah would be honored with a wax statue at Madame Tussauds in London.

Mohamed Salah's journey from Nagrig to becoming one of the world's top footballers is a testament to his talent, hard work, and humility. His contributions on and off the pitch have made him a beloved figure worldwide, inspiring millions with his story of perseverance and success.

Whether through his dazzling performances, charitable endeavors, or cultural impact, Salah continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of football and beyond.