Liverpool Striker Mo Salah Faces Criticism Over Model Photoshoot
Egyptian footballer and Liverpool star Mo Salah has faced backlash for his participation in a photoshoot with a model, sparking debate over societal double standards.
Salah appeared alongside Alessandra Ambrosio, the former Victoria’s Secret Angel, on the cover of GQ Middle East.
One version shows them standing back to back, while another, the center of controversy, features Ambrosio embracing him from behind.
A behind-the-scenes video also captures them laughing together during the shoot.
Ambrosio’s embrace of Salah, a married Muslim man from a conservative background, drew criticism, particularly in Egypt.
“Imagine if I were a married Muslim woman and did this,” one Twitter user commented.
The controversy overshadowed Salah’s recognition as GQ’s Man of the Year in 2019, with many refusing to support him.
Additionally, after posting the covers online, Salah received hostile messages questioning his integrity and criticizing the images.
“Shame on you, Miss Muslim,” an inspector exclaimed, while some even referenced his mother’s life collapsing.
Salah’s photos were compared to female Egyptian celebrities facing backlash for their choices, such as Rania Youssef, who risked prison for wearing a revealing dress.
Salah frequently shares personal moments on Instagram, but this GQ shoot highlights the struggle between Egyptian, Muslim, and global expectations.
His supporters argued that he is no longer just a local celebrity but a global icon, and criticism of the shoot was unwarranted.