محمد صلاح’s arrival in Turkey produced more than chants and a noisy welcome, with a light-hearted confrontation between rival supporters becoming one of the most widely shared moments of the day.
As crowds gathered to greet Trabzonspor’s new signing from Liverpool, a Galatasaray supporter was spotted among them wearing the Istanbul club’s distinctive red-and-yellow shirt.
The fan’s unexpected appearance was captured in a video that quickly spread across social media. Rather than allowing the rivalry to create tension, dozens of Trabzonspor supporters surrounded the visitor in a festive atmosphere.
They jokingly urged him to take off his Galatasaray shirt, while those around him laughed and joined in chants for Mohamed Salah and Trabzonspor. The scene attracted attention because of its playful nature, turning the rival fan into an unlikely part of the celebrations.
The Galatasaray supporter responded in a sporting manner and removed the shirt as the crowd applauded. Trabzonspor fans treated the moment as part of the “welcome ritual” for their new global star.
Salah arrived in Istanbul on Wednesday morning, where thousands of Trabzonspor supporters had gathered to greet him. He then boarded another flight bound for Trabzon, the Black Sea city where he was due to complete the formalities of his move.
The Egypt international reached Trabzon on Wednesday evening. The contracts are expected to be signed officially and the transfer announced on Thursday.
His arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter after an eight-season spell with Liverpool. During that period, Salah scored 257 goals in 442 appearances and won every available major honour with the club.
The welcome in Turkey therefore combined the excitement surrounding one of the country’s biggest transfers with a reminder of the intense rivalry between Trabzonspor and Galatasaray. The video of the visiting supporter being surrounded by Trabzonspor fans added a humorous and human moment to the build-up to Salah’s official unveiling.
For the supporters waiting to see their new forward in Trabzonspor colours, the events in Istanbul and Trabzon have already provided a memorable start. The formal announcement of the deal on Thursday will complete the process after Salah’s long and highly successful Liverpool career.
The celebrations were initially centred on the Egyptian forward’s arrival, but the unexpected involvement of the Galatasaray fan gave the occasion an additional storyline. His decision to remove the rival shirt under friendly pressure from the crowd was met with applause rather than hostility, helping the exchange retain its good-natured character.
