SunSport journeyed to Mohamed Salah’s hometown of Nagrig in Gharbia, located 80 miles north of Cairo, to explore the roots of the footballing sensation who has netted 40 goals this season, leading Liverpool to the Champions League semi-finals.
In Nagrig, we met those who have witnessed Salah’s rise and experienced firsthand the profound impact of his generosity. Salah, born into a modest family in Gharbia Province, has consistently remembered his origins despite his global fame and £90,000-a-week salary.
Raised in a small three-story home near a local football pitch, Salah grew up as the eldest of four children. His parents held government jobs, and his father also traded jasmine flowers, which are common in the region. Despite his success, Salah remains deeply connected to his hometown.
His charitable efforts have been transformative. He funded the first ambulance service in the area and invested in medical equipment that benefits numerous residents daily. His charity also provides essential supplies to families, with Salah spending up to £3,500 each month to support them.
The Liverpool star is also behind the construction of a youth center, a girls’ school, and a medical clinic in Nagrig. His commitment to his community has earned him the nickname “happiness maker” locally. Salah’s first act after joining Liverpool was a generous donation of $300,000 (around £210,000) to the Tahya Masr fund, following a meeting with President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi.
To ensure his contributions are effectively managed, Salah established his own charity in Nagrig. Maher Shatiyah, board manager of the Mohamed Salah Charity Foundation, praised Salah’s dedication, highlighting his various contributions, including food distribution and the town’s initial ambulance service.
Salah’s charity is also working on a new services complex and a medical clinic on a 1,500 square-meter site. Additionally, a girls’ school is being built to keep local girls from having to travel outside the village for education.
Salah frequently returns to Nagrig, especially during Ramadan, to share his wealth with residents. He also contributes practical gifts to newlyweds in the village. Notably, after Egypt’s qualification for the 2018 World Cup, Salah declined a bonus offered by former Zamalek president Mamdouh Abbas, opting instead to direct the funds towards medical supplies for his hometown.
In another remarkable gesture, when his family’s home was burgled, Salah chose to give the thief money and assist him in finding a job, rather than pressing charges. Dr. Alaa al-Ghamrawi, who manages a national program to combat rheumatoid arthritis, noted that Salah has funded crucial medical equipment, including a £10,000 early detection device and incubators for premature infants.
Salah’s impact is so profound that a secondary school and a sports center in Basyoun now bear his name. He also donated £50,000 to Tanta University Hospital for modern medical equipment and provided gym equipment and an all-weather pitch to Mohamed Ayyad Al-Tantawy school, where he was educated.
Local residents, including accountant Adel al-Abbas, emphasize that Salah’s charitable work is a natural extension of his character, shaped by his upbringing in a modest family. Despite his global success, Salah’s focus remains on giving back to his community, reflecting his deep-rooted values and gratitude.
