Liverpool star Mohamed Salah names four football heroes including ex-Man Utd man

Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah has revealed the footballing legends who have inspired his glittering career, including former Roma colleague Francesco Totti and ex-Manchester United man Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Egyptian forward, now considered one of the game’s elite, grew up idolising a host of players destined to be remembered as all-time greats.

Among them was Totti, with whom Salah shared the pitch at Roma. The 32-year-old witnessed close hand the Italian maestro’s skill even in the latter stages of his career.

Other inspirations include the likes of retired maestros Zinedine Zidane and Brazilian superstar Ronaldo, both Ballon d’Or winners, as well as Ronaldo, whose dedication and goalscoring prowess have left a mark on Salah.

Speaking to Liverpool’s official YouTube channel, Salah expressed his admiration: “I love the way Ronaldo [of Brazil] was playing and [Zinedine] Zidane and [Francesco] Totti. These guys, I always looked at them and they just enjoy the game.”

He also lauded Cristiano Ronaldo’s commitment to football: “Cristiano was also the one when I started playing in Europe more, you see the way he dedicated everything to football is insane, the way he looks after himself. You can see everything, his numbers.

“But these guys I looked at when I was young and I just wished to play one game with them, or to be like them one day. I had a good opportunity to play with Totti and I played with him for two years in Rome.

“It was an incredible time, I just loved it. He was incredible to be fair and his technique was insane. Very, very good person as well.”

Italian legend Totti was similarly full of high praise for Salah, labelling him “a player that changes any game it at any time” after watching his progression upon his move from Roma to Liverpool in 2017.

Having won both the Premier League and the Champions League titles at Anfield, Salah’s exceptional talent is unquestionable as he potentially enters his last season at Liverpool, ambitiously chasing every possible trophy.

Regarding his aims, he declared: “Win it all. In my opinion, I work so hard every day, I hate the idea that we are underdogs. No, we have an incredible group, one of the best in the world.

“In each position, you’re going to find players that are really one of the top three in the world. So, why don’t we win it? This city and this club has to always fight for everything.”