“It’s not easy protecting Mohamed Salah” — Bodyguard reveals

“He’s a ghost, he cannot be seen,” Karim Abdou on Mohamed Salah.

A lot goes into being Mohamed Salah, and to be Mohamed Salah‘s bodyguard, a lot goes into protecting the Liverpool star.

Speaking on the pressure that comes with guarding the Champions League winner, Karim Abdou who serves as the Egyptian’s personal bodyguard gave insight into the extensive security measures in place to protect Mohamed Salah.

Abdou, who has previously worked with football luminaries such as Roberto Carlos, Alessandro Del Piero, and Angel Di Maria, highlighted Salah as his favorite player to work with.

The longstanding professional relationship between Abdou and Salah spans nearly a decade, with Abdou following Salah from his time at Roma to becoming one of the most prominent figures in global football.

Abdou provided insights into some of the stringent safety precautions surrounding Salah, particularly when it comes to gifts.

He revealed that all presents must undergo thorough scanning, as they are cautious about accepting gifts that might contain harmful or dangerous substances.

Speaking on the 5ASide Podcast, Abdou stated,

“All gifts have to be scanned. We don’t accept gifts, but sometimes if I take them from people they have to be scanned. You never know what is in the gift. It could make him sick or kill him, you don’t know.”

Additionally, Abdou emphasized the need for Salah to maintain a low profile in public, as the consequences of people discovering his whereabouts could be significant.

“He’s a ghost, he cannot be seen,” Abdou explained. He recounted an incident where someone followed Salah after he went to pray in a mosque, subsequently disclosing his address in a WhatsApp group.

This resulted in an overwhelming crowd of around 20,000 people gathering outside his house within minutes.

The bodyguard recounted that one of the rare instances when Mohamed Salah attracted massive attention was after Liverpool’s Champions League victory in 2019, when he returned to celebrate Eid in his homeland.

“He was supposed to go and pray in the street with everybody, and he just won the Champions League, so everyone wants to take pictures with him,” Abdou added.

Abdou also offered a glimpse into Salah’s immense popularity in Egypt, where people often approach him with written requests, believing he can resolve their problems.

“People write on a paper and give it to him because people think he’s going to solve all their problems,” Abdou said.

He highlighted Salah’s generosity, noting that he has made significant contributions to charitable causes, including supporting the healthcare needs of sick individuals, purchasing ambulances for the city, helping those in financial distress get married, pay their bills, or undergo necessary medical procedures.