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Residents of Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah's hometown of Nagrig are hoping to travel to Türkiye to watch him play for Trabzonspor at Papara Park, as local officials say his move from Liverpool has brought the two countries closer together and sparked greater interest in Turkish football.
Journalists visiting Nagrig, a village in Egypt's Gharbia governorate, met with local officials, Salah's former coaches and residents outside the youth center where the footballer first began developing his skills.
The visit was part of a program organized by Trabzon's Metropolitan Municipality, with support from Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Commodity Exchange and the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies.
Nagrig Mayor Maher Shetteh said Salah's journey from the village's football pitch to international recognition had made residents proud and helped introduce their community to audiences worldwide.
Shetteh, who followed Salah's development from an early age, described the footballer as a form of soft power, referring to his ability to strengthen relations between Egypt and Türkiye through cultural influence rather than political or economic pressure.
He explained that Egyptians had already been familiar with major Turkish clubs, including Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Trabzonspor, but Salah's arrival had significantly increased their enthusiasm for the Turkish league.
"We see Mohamed Salah as a compass, not only for the people of Nagrig but for all Egyptians. Wherever Mohamed Salah goes, the eyes of the Egyptian people turn there," Shetteh said.
He added that Egyptians had followed Salah throughout his career in Switzerland, Italy and England, and were now paying similar attention to Türkiye.
According to Shetteh, Salah's presence in Trabzon has also made Türkiye feel closer to Egyptian audiences, with football providing another connection between the two countries.
Hamry Abdelhamed Elsadany, one of Salah's former coaches, recalled that the footballer had started playing at Nagrig's youth center before going on to establish his international career.
Elsadany said Salah's departure from Liverpool and the English Premier League had attracted widespread attention but stressed that the footballer's influence extended beyond his performances on the pitch.
He described Salah as an ambassador for Egypt and the wider Arab world, saying his presence in Türkiye had helped bring Egyptian and Turkish communities closer together.
The coach also pointed out that Turkish television dramas had already attracted considerable interest in Egypt, while Salah's transfer had encouraged people to follow developments in Türkiye even more closely.
Elsadany said residents were paying attention to the reception Salah had received from Turkish supporters and appreciated the enthusiasm surrounding his arrival.
Elsadany also expressed his wish to visit Trabzon and watch Salah play at Papara Park, Trabzonspor's home stadium.
He said residents had learned about the city's attractions and hospitality through television programs, which had further encouraged them to make the trip.
"Hopefully, one day we will come to Trabzon. We are waiting for an invitation," Elsadany said.
Looking ahead, he expressed confidence that Salah still had much to contribute to football and hoped to see him achieve further success with Trabzonspor and in the Turkish league.
Following the meeting, the visiting journalists toured Salah's birthplace and spoke with residents about the footballer's career and his continuing influence on the community.
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