Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has hailed Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah as being a ‘perfect’ role model.
As a high-profile Muslim footballer, Salah has become a reference point for a lot of players of the same faith. And speaking to BBC Sport this week about the ongoing Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Doucoure hailed the Liverpool man, as well as his former teammate Sadio Mane.
“I love Sadio Mane, I love Mohamed Salah. It is not about football – you know the reality between the clubs – but as a human being I love him [Salah],” said the 30-year-old.
“As a footballer you always want to be an example and Mohamed Salah is one of those. He is doing well at his club so people love him, but they also learn about his religion Islam. He is a good example for us and is perfect.
“He is good for society and if myself and my team-mates can be an example to others in the city [of Liverpool], that would be great.”
Salah transcends Merseyside rivalry
Ever since his first glorious season at Liverpool, Salah has somewhat transcended the sport. Obviously, he’s a brilliant player in his own right, but the 30-year-old has also become a cultural icon whilst at the club.
For Doucoure – a player at a fierce rival – to speak so openly about his praise for Mo only underlines that further.
Salah is a hero back in his homeland of Egypt and across the rest of the Middle East and Africa. To carry that weight isn’t easy, but our No.11 always seems to manage it with a smile.
The same could also be said of Sadio Mane. With he and Mo tearing teams apart together before heading off to clean toilets at the local mosque [Sky], they were the epitome of humbleness.
Now that Sadio has departed, that can is being carried solely by Salah. Thankfully, Mo has always proved himself to be up to the task.
There are many reasons why Liverpool will miss Salah terribly when he eventually departs. Losing Salah the player will be a heavy blow in itself, but perhaps losing Salah the person will end up being an even more difficult one to take.