We all know who Mo Salah is, but in this article, I would like to highlight some takeaways we can learn from this iconic footballer. Most of the times when I want to inspire myself, I look at successful role models who started from nothing to creating a great impact And I don’t mean great wealth.
Some people have created wealth with very little impact and others have impacted the world on their way to creating wealth.
Our great example in this article is Mohamed Salah, the man who used to spend 9 hours on 10 buses a day to continue chasing his dreams in Egypt, starting from nothing to now worth over £140 million, yet remain very humble.
Let us look at some of his quotes to inspire you on your journey. Here he is, in his own words and what we can learn from him:
- BEING SUPER DEDICATED AND FOCUS
“For five days a week, every week for three or four years, I would make this journey. I was leaving at 9 am in the morning, then I would arrive at the training ground at 2 pm or 2.30 pm. Training was always at 3.30 pm or 4 pm. I would finish training at say 6 pm, then I’d go home and arrive at 10 pm or 10.30 pm. Then it was eaten, sleep and then the day after the same thing.” he said.
I am not saying that life is about work, work and work but sometimes it is just as important to value rejuvenation and relaxation during the grind to success. But the key takeaway here is being super dedicated and focused on your goal and overcome challenges.
- USING STRUGGLE AS FUEL TO BUILD A GREAT NAME
“As I said, it was a difficult time, but I was young and I wanted to be a footballer. I wanted to be a big name. I wanted to be something special.” he said
Coming from a humble background, Mo Salah’s success was rooted in overcoming challenges he has in his life and the struggle to be better. He used this struggle to build a dream for himself and become what he knew how to be. Instead of focusing and complaining on the difficulty, he preferred to focus on what could be instead.
- BEING PERSISTENT EVEN IF THINGS ARE NOT YET CLEAR
“I cannot promise you that it was clear to me what I would become and I was like, ‘I will be something special’. No, it was not like this. I was coming from nothing, a 14-year-old kid with a dream. I didn’t know it would happen, I just wanted it to happen so badly.” he said.
Some people say football build bridges. I would say business build bridges too and therefore it’s key to be true to yourself, remember who you are, where you came from. Your true identity is what creates genuine love.
- GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND SO- CIETY
Despite money and fame, He kept himself grounded and humble, creating an anti-drug campaign, donating over $600,000 to hospitals in Egypt, sponsoring his entire neighbourhood’s weddings and above all he always tries not to let the public know. He has become a role model for millions of Liverpool fans, Muslims, non-Muslims and even in- spired others to chant “I will be Muslim too”.
- RESPECT YOUR COMPETITION AND BE HUMBLE
“Always feel your heart. Be loyal to yourself. Always believe in your ability and in your goals. This is the only way you will be able to reach them. During this journey, always respect your mates and your opponents. Respect other people – their origin, religion, and nationality. And finally, never stop improving yourself.”
- SOMETIMES IT’S NOT WISE TO COMMIT TO ANY OFFER
Responding to Real Madrid transfer links, Mo Sa- lah insisted that his entire focus will be on Liverpool until the end of the season, saying “If I have to say anything, I’ll say I am happy at Liverpool”. While it’s a dream for any footballer to play for a club such as Real Madrid yet Salah prefers to focus and continue to create an impact to his loyal loving fans.
“ALWAYS FEEL YOUR HEART. BE LOYAL TO YOURSELF. ALWAYS BELIEVE IN YOUR ABILITY AND IN YOUR GOALS. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY YOU WILL BE ABLE TO REACH THEM. DURING THIS JOURNEY, AL- WAYS RESPECT YOUR MATES AND YOUR OPPONENTS. RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE THEIR ORIGIN, RELIGION, AND NATIONALITY. AND FINALLY, NEVER STOP IMPROVING YOURSELF.”
that sometimes you should politely reject an offer to focus and continue what you started.
- HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF AND PROVE THEM WRONG
No matter what you do with your life, whether you are getting married or building your business, go to college or drop out of college, growing your talent or prefer to focus on your career, some people will support you while others will continue to criticize you. You either give them your ears or have a “Do Not Disturb” tagline and continue doing what you love the most. You must remain confident at all times if you know where you are going.
“WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU YOU’RE FAST, MAKE SURE, THE NEXT DAY, YOU SHOW THEM YOU CAN RUN FASTER.”
8. YOU CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT FAITH
He is often seen reciting Quran, making Duaa and prostrating after scoring goals. As an entrepreneur knowing that your payslip at the end of the month does not exist anymore, makes you realise that having faith in your creator (Allah) is the only source of rizq (income). However, this requires so much dedication and work to earn it, but when it comes, be always thankful and grateful.
What we learn from Mo Salah’s story is that working hard towards a goal, believing in yourself and being humble can create some extraordinary results. A young, unknown man from Egypt decided he has something to offer to the world, he wanted to be something great and never stopped short from believing in his vision.
This is a great example of how persistence, focus, discipline, hard work and faith can lead you to.
As Jack Ma said, “Being an entrepreneur is like riding a horse. In the beginning, it’s difficult to control the horse but as you are able to ride the horse, it keeps moving faster and faster that you can’t enjoy it as you are afraid that you may fall off the horse.”
