Nevien Shaabneh - Mohamed Salah: Get to Know the Soccer Superstar

Egypts national football team is known as the Pharaohs. They are Africas most successful team. They were the first team from a country not in Europe or the Americas to qualify for the World Cup.

Even when he was not physically running and kicking, he was watching soccer on TV or playing it on his PlayStation. He always picked Liverpool as his team.

the outside of Mohameds familys house in Nagrig

When Mohamed was 14, the El Mokawloon El Arab Sporting Club visited the village. They came to watch another young player. But Mohamed captured their attention instead. He was invited to train with them.

The only problem was that the center was five hours away from his home. Mohamed had to make many sacrifices to attend the training. I would complain that I didnt want to travel to training, he said later. But [my father] stood by me and told me that all great players go through this. The price for him was very high, and Ill never forget the role he played in my career.

Cairo is home to nearly 20 million people.

Mohamed went to school from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Then he would walk more than a mile to a neighboring village to catch his first bus. Four more buses followed, until he finally reached Cairo around 2:30 p.m. After training for a few hours, he would repeat his journey in reverse. Most nights he was home by 10:30 p.m. This was his life, five days a week, for the next four years.

However, all his hard work and dedication was worth it when he made his professional Egyptian Premier League. He was 19 years old.

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that soccer is called football (pronounced fute-ball) outside of North America? American football is different from football in the rest of the world.

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ON THE MOVE

Mohamed was young to play nationally. Many professionals dont make their debut until their 20s. His speed and scoring ability were impressive. He could compete in a race with [Olympic gold medal sprinter] Usain Bolt, a former coach bragged.

Mohamed (front row, left) played for Egypt during the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2011. All players are under 20 years old.

The next year he represented Egypt at the .

Mohameds career continued to take off and soar to new heights. But his success did not come without . Just as Mohamed was set to play more championship league games for his Egyptian team, games were canceled.

The Riot

On February 1, 2012, the Egyptian soccer teams Al Masry and Al Ahly faced off in a match at the Port Said Stadium. Tensions between the clubs had always been high. After the match, Al Masry fans ran onto the field and attacked Al Ahly fans. Because the stadium doors were locked from the outside, people couldnt escape. In the end, 74 people were killed and another 500 were injured. League games were canceled for the next two years, and some pro players retired.

Just before the Olympics, Mohamed had signed a four-year contract with FC Basel, a Swiss football club. They had seen him in March when the club played the Pharaohs in a friendly match. It was a great opportunity. But it also meant Mohamed would have to move to Europe.

Mohamed takes shots primarily with his left foot but plays right wing.

I grew up in Egypt, I knew everything in Egypt... but I didnt know anything in Switzerland, he said. I couldnt understand any language because I couldnt speak English or Swiss German.... I went there and lived alone. It was a very difficult time because I didnt know what to do.Swiss Super Leagues championship title during its 20122013 season.

DID YOU KNOW?

Soccer leagues are groups of teams, or clubs, that compete against another group of teams. The Egyptian Premier League is a professional league made up of 18 teams. The Pharaohs are one team. FC Basel is part of the Swiss Super League, which has 10 teams. Many teams have Football Club (FC) as part of their names.