Mohamed Salah has conquered football’s biggest stages. Yet his latest challenge is not scoring goals. It is learning to live with fame.

Since joining Turkish side Trabzonspor, the Egyptian forward has become a major attraction in the Black Sea city. His World Cup performances brought millions of new followers, commercial deals and attention wherever he goes.

But the excitement has come at a cost. Ordinary outings now attract cameras, autograph requests and crowds. For a player who once enjoyed a quieter life, the change has been difficult.

From World Cup Hero to Global Star

Salah’s rise in 2026 began at the World Cup. He helped Egypt’s fellow African nation Cape Verde hold eventual champions Spain to a goalless draw in their opening match.

Cape Verde later reached the last 32. There, they pushed Lionel Messi’s Argentina into extra time before being eliminated.

The performances brought Salah international attention. His Instagram following reportedly grew from about 50,000 to millions. It now stands at approximately 68 million.

His profile has since extended beyond football. He has attracted major commercial partnerships and attended the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, where he finished sixth in the men’s goalkeeper of the year voting.

A New Home in Trabzon

Salah signed a two-year deal with Trabzonspor in August 2026, after leaving Liverpool. The move was accompanied by a remarkable welcome. Thousands of supporters gathered at the club’s stadium for his unveiling, which was marked by fireworks.

Trabzonspor’s appeal went beyond the football. Salah wanted a place where he could concentrate on the game without the constant bustle of Istanbul.

He earns a reported €17 million per season, including salary and signing payments. A separate image-rights agreement also gives him 20 per cent of proceeds from products sold through the club’s retail business bearing his name.

His arrival has already left a mark on the city. After a hike in the surrounding highlands, a rock where he posed for a photograph was reportedly renamed Salahtasi. It has since become a point of interest for visitors.

Success on the Pitch

The commercial attention has been matched by strong performances.

By November 5, Salah had scored 10 goals and provided five assists in all competitions for Trabzonspor. His contribution has helped drive the club’s challenge for the Turkish Super Lig title.

Trabzonspor had won seven of their first 10 league matches. Their victories included results against traditional powerhouses Galatasaray and Beşiktaş.

The club has won Turkey’s top-flight title seven times. By comparison, Istanbul rivals Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş have collected 61 championships between them.

Kerim Tonyali, a member of the Trabzonspor supporters’ group Gurbetçi Gençler, described Salah as one of the biggest names in world football.

“In Turkey, he is the biggest football star after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo,” Tonyali said.

Salah’s presence has also attracted supporters beyond Trabzon. His standing among Egyptian and wider Muslim football fans has helped bring new attention to the club.

The Loss of Privacy

The attention has not always been welcome. In an interview with The Observer, Salah spoke about the loss of privacy that followed his World Cup performances.

“I've lost my peace and tranquillity,” he said.

He explained that visits to restaurants and other public places had become difficult. People regularly ask for photographs or autographs. Some also film him without permission.

The experience has made ordinary routines harder to maintain. Yet small moments of normality have been found in Trabzon. During his early weeks in the city, Salah regularly visited a bakery in the affluent Vitacura neighbourhood.

Gustavo Cassin, manager of the café Metissage, told AFP that the visits appeared to make the player feel welcome.

“I think it was good for him to go because he felt welcomed and was able to chat to people,” Cassin said.

The conversations were rarely about football. Salah would speak about Egypt and enjoy his morning croissant.

He has also developed a taste for Turkish coffee and is sometimes seen leaving the stadium with ayran, a traditional yoghurt drink.

A Future Still to Be Decided

Salah’s move has not guaranteed a permanent place in Trabzonspor’s starting line-up. His contract runs for two years, but its terms and the club’s plans will shape what happens next.

He has said his immediate focus remains on the team. His ambition also extends beyond Turkey, with hopes of representing Egypt at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup.

There has been speculation about a possible move to Saudi Arabia when his Trabzonspor contract ends in 2028. No decision has been announced.

For now, his attention is on helping the club compete for silverware.

A Different Chapter After Liverpool

Salah’s arrival in Turkey followed a difficult final period at Liverpool. His departure came after nine years at Anfield, where he scored 257 goals in 442 appearances and won major honours, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

His exit followed a public disagreement with then-manager Arne Slot. The circumstances surrounding the early termination of his contract have not been fully explained by those involved.

Asked by BBC Sport whether he had a message for Liverpool supporters, Salah offered a brief response: “Hello.” The answer reflected his usual reluctance to speak at length in public.

His influence is now being felt on the shores of the Black Sea. Trabzonspor have gained a world-famous forward, while Salah has found a club where he hopes to focus on football.

The challenge will be balancing the attention that comes with his fame against the quieter life he says he misses. At 34, he is not presenting this move as a farewell to the game. He is still chasing goals, trophies and another chapter at the highest level.