The Story Behind Salah’s “Joke” About Leaving Liverpool for Money
The saga of Mohamed Salah’s future with Liverpool has taken a light-hearted turn, thanks to a recent revelation by English football legend, Gary Lineker. On the podcast “The Rest Is Football,” Lineker shared an amusing conversation he had with Salah, hinting at the Egyptian’s future plans.
Lineker recounted a brief 10-minute meeting with Salah when he visited Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, for a special interview with the BBC. He described Salah as a “great guy” and detailed their exchange:
“He asked me how old I was when I finished playing in the English football league. I told him I was 32, then I went to Japan to play for a few years.”
The conversation took a humorous turn when Salah jokingly asked if Lineker moved to Japan for money, to which Lineker agreed. Salah then quipped, “I might do the same,” followed by a playful wink at a journalist present, clarifying, “It was just a joke. He has that fun, playful sense of humor.”
This light-hearted banter has fueled speculation about Salah’s next move, especially as his contract with Liverpool is set to expire at the end of the current season. The Saudi Pro League has been mentioned as a potential destination, particularly after comments from Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sport, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal:
“Certainly, because it’s a multi-benefit deal, and we would love to have him with us.”
The speculation intensified when Turki Al Sheikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, shared a photo of Salah wearing Al-Hilal’s blue jersey, hinting at a possible future move.
Responding to these developments, Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, expressed surprise at the thought of anyone not wanting Salah, emphasizing his stellar performance over the years:
“I would be astonished if there was anyone anywhere in the world who says they don’t want Mohamed
Salah. He’s been doing a fantastic job for years, and everyone probably wants his services.”
Slot added that Salah is wise enough to make the right decisions for his career, hoping those decisions would also benefit Liverpool.
The situation reached a peak when Liverpool rejected a £150 million (approximately $186.28 million)
offer from Al-Ittihad for Salah in September 2023. With his contract nearing its end, the fear of a free
transfer at the season’s conclusion looms large.
This blend of humor, speculation, and high-stakes football decisions keeps fans and pundits alike
riveted on Salah’s next move. Whether he stays with Liverpool or moves to new pastures, Salah’s humor
might just be the light-hearted relief in an otherwise intense transfer window.
