Mohamed Salah’s Christmas tradition sparks reactions amid a stellar 2024 season

At a Glance

• Mohamed Salah posted his annual Christmas photo with family, drawing mixed reactions from his 63.7 million Instagram followers.
• Some Muslim followers criticized Salah for celebrating Christmas, questioning his engagement with a Christian holiday.
• Salah’s on-field success and endorsement deals boost his global marketability, ranking 38th on Forbes’ highest-paid athletes list.

Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah, Liverpool FC’s all-time Champions League goals leader, once again marked the Christmas season with his annual family photo in front of a Christmas tree, drawing mixed reactions from his Muslim followers.

Despite his religious background, Salah has made a tradition of posting festive pictures on Christmas Day, sharing a moment of family warmth with his 63.7 million Instagram followers.

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A post shared by Mohamed Salah (@mosalah)

This year’s photo features Salah, his wife Magi, and their two daughters, Makka (born in 2014) and Kayan (born in 2020), all dressed in red and black pajamas, gathered around a decorated Christmas tree.

The snapshot, which Salah captioned with “#MerryChristmas,” captures a smiling, cheerful family celebrating the season.

While the image embodies a festive family tradition, it has sparked backlash from some of his Muslim followers, who criticized his decision to publicly engage with a Christian holiday.

Fans react to Salah’s Christmas celebration

In response to the post, some followers expressed disappointment on Instagram, with one writing, “Fear Allah this isn’t allowed,” and another commenting, “my brother isn’t ur name mohammed.” A third follower added, “At this point am just disappointed in you bro.”

While Muslims do not traditionally observe Christmas, some individuals partake in the festivities, and Salah’s public displays of Christmas celebration have often been a subject of debate.

However, this yearly tradition does not overshadow Salah’s significant impact in both the football world and his community. The Liverpool winger has been in superb form throughout 2024, contributing 15 goals and 11 assists in just 16 Premier League appearances.

His stellar performances have helped elevate Liverpool to the top of both the Premier League and Champions League standings, solidifying his position as one of the best in the game.

Salah’s influence extends beyond the football pitch. According to Forbes, he ranks 38th on their 2024 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, with annual earnings of $53 million.

This includes $35 million in on-field income and an additional $18 million generated through endorsement deals, appearances, and other off-field ventures. His base salary for the 2024/2025 season is $18.2 million, marking a slight increase from the previous year.

Salah’s performance keeps Liverpool in spotlight

Known for his high-profile partnerships with global brands such as Vodafone, Pepsi, Mountain View Egypt, and Adidas, Salah’s marketability continues to thrive.

His digital presence, with nearly 100 million followers across Facebook, Instagram, and X, further boosts his appeal to advertisers and brands.

His status as a marketing icon was highlighted by Adidas in 2021, when the company featured Salah in its “Impossible Is Nothing” campaign, underscoring his widespread influence and ability to unite diverse audiences.

Despite nearing the end of his three-year, $54.6 million contract extension with Liverpool, Salah remains a key figure for the club. His performance, including 12 goals and 10 assists this season, keeps him firmly in the spotlight as the Premier League’s top player.

As Salah continues to balance his religious beliefs with his global celebrity status, his actions and public statements are closely watched by fans and followers alike.

While his Christmas posts may spark controversy, they also reinforce the unifying power of sport and family, transcending cultural and religious boundaries to connect with a broad global audience.