Mohamed Salah arrived in Istanbul in August wearing Trabzonspur's home kit, which sold out instantly. Advised to wear the black away kit, that also sold out. The 34-year-old Egyptian's move to Trabzonspor has sparked unprecedented adulation, with his face appearing on merchandise, fishmonger walls, and souvenirs.
Season ticket sales and airport traffic have surged, aided by new flights from Cairo, Dubai, and Riyadh. An Egyptian family of 10 flew from Cairo for a Conference League game. Salah is driving Trabzonspor's push for the Turkish Super Lig title, contributing 10 goals and five assists.
The club trail leaders Galatasaray by three points. Salah's commercial impact is justified, and he is earning approximately £14.6m annually plus 20% of merchandise revenue. He is considered Turkey's biggest football star after Messi and Ronaldo, making Trabzonspor the second club for many in the Muslim world.
A rock in the Trabzon highlands was renamed 'Salahtasi' and became a tourist spot. The local mantra, 'Everywhere is Trabzon for us,' reflects the city's population of 800,000 and sense of unity.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing