The "Salah Effect": How the Egyptian King is packing stadiums and mesmerizing rivals

Konyaspor midfielder Melih Ibrahimoglu has expressed his admiration for Mohamed Salah, highlighting the Egyptian winger’s massive impact on Turkish football attendances following their recent Süper Lig encounter.

Read Also: The 60th minute clash: Why Mohamed Salah really left Hossam Hassan's Egypt camp

A memorable encounter on the pitch

Speaking to an Austrian newspaper in quotes relayed by Turkish outlet 61 Saat, Ibrahimoglu reflected on the experience of facing the former Liverpool star.

The encounter took place during a tightly contested domestic fixture, which ended in a 1-0 victory for Konyaspor, who now feature fellow Egyptian international Mostafa Mohamed, against Trabzonspor.

"I only knew him from television before... It was a truly wonderful feeling to be on the pitch against him" the 26 year old midfielder revealed.

The match carried significant weight for Konyaspor, as the 1-0 triumph marked their only victory in a challenging run of six matches in the Turkish top flight.

Despite the fierce competition for the crucial three points, the respect for the visiting captain was evident at the final whistle, with Ibrahimoglu noting that Konyaspor players eagerly raced to request Salah's shirt.

The "Salah Effect" in the Süper Lig

Beyond the individual thrill of sharing the pitch, Ibrahimoglu pointed out the broader commercial and cultural impact of Salah's summer arrival in Turkey. While several high profile players have moved to the league recently, the Egyptian international has uniquely elevated public interest.

"The Süper Lig saw many big stars arrive during the summer transfer window this season... But thanks to Salah, we are seeing far larger crowds flocking to the stadiums and the city" Ibrahimoglu added.

Salah's transition to Trabzonspor has undoubtedly brought heightened media and fan attention to the Süper Lig. As the season progresses, both clubs will look to capitalize on this momentum, with Konyaspor aiming to build on their hard-fought victory and Trabzonspor seeking to return to winning ways.

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

Related teams and leagues

Trabzonspor

Egypt