You were with Salah when he took his first steps in European football, how did that happen?
Ok, let me tell you something that's never been mentioned before: Salah received offers from Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid before completing his move to Basel. Then, Salah told me that he did not want to join Dortmund or Atleti at the time; he wanted to play regularly.
Back then, you were driving Salah home in your car.
I got my professional contract at Al Mokawloon and bought a car. I was taking Salah, Elneny and another player back home. Sometimes, I was taking Salah right to his village when there was no transportation.
That picture with the watermelon...
Salah was on a trip with the Egypt national youth team, he was coming from Senegal and called me to invite me for a dinner together. He came with watermelon, some cheese and bread. It seemed a little funny, we were expecting him to bring kebabs (laughs).
Elneny once denied your request for help with a move to the club where his father was an assistant coach. Did you call Salah?
Sometime later, I tried to get in touch with Mohamed Salah because he has links with the Egyptian FA. But his world had changed. He's a world star and he can't do anything without consulting his lawyers.
How has Salah developed from Al Mokawloon days to one of the best players in the world?
No one could predict that Salah would play for Al Mokawloon's first team. Salah started his career as a left-back and then became a winger. He was keen on listening to advice and continuing to work alone in the gym. Salah was diligent to compete with the players in his position.
Salah reportedly felt sad he wasn't given the captain's armband in the Midtjylland game. In your opinion, does Mo really have the traits of a leader?
I don't think so. The leader always aims to take part in team achievements but Salah looks more for his numbers and individual achievements. Salah's personality tells me that he'll leave for new achievements in other places.
Do you want him to leave the Premier League's champions?
Salah has achieved everything with Liverpool and emulating that with Real Madrid or Barcelona would mean winning the Ballon d'Or. To achieve that in Spain is easier because of the Premier League's strength.
What if Salah continues with Liverpool and becomes a legend?
European footballers love stability the most, like Steven Gerard. For us, we don't see Liverpool as the biggest club in the world despite the Champions League and the Premier League trophies. Salah wants to achieve things no one has achieved before. Salah knows that he is the No.1 at Liverpool, but he looks for something no Arabic player has achieved before.
Is Jurgen Klopp the best manager Salah has worked with?
Of course, Klopp dealt well with Salah. Klopp has developed Salah a lot – unlike Jose Mourinho [Salah's head coach at Chelsea].
What about Zinedine Zidane?
Zidane seems close to Klopp in dealing with players. If Salah [wants another coach like Klopp], then the closest person to the German is Zidane.
But Mo is a Barcelona fan, right?
Yes, Salah likes Lionel Messi the most. Of course, everyone would like to play with Messi.
Which position is Mo's best?
Winger.
So in your opinion, where have Salah dribbling skills gone?
He was a skillful winger at Basel and Fiorentina. We can compare that with Cristiano Ronaldo situation. The Portuguese was very skillful at Manchester United but became more focused on scoring goals later. That makes you hit the net the shortest way and not be interested in dribbling. This may be the guidance he received in Europe.
Finally, what is your message to Salah?
I just have a wish that he continues this way. He is our pride, the pride of all of Egypt. I am proud because I am a friend and [a former] teammate to Salah – the same with Mohamed Elneny. I wish him success and keep following his path.
