Ibrahim Hassan has urged Mohamed Salah to stay in Europe rather than join MLS, arguing a U.S. move would reduce the Liverpool forward’s global visibility. Hassan pointed to interest from top European clubs and suggested the Saudi Pro League as a viable alternative if no European offers arrive, framing the choice around legacy, competitive level and Egypt’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
Ibrahim Hassan urges Mohamed Salah to prioritise Europe over an MLS switch
Ibrahim Hassan, Egypt’s team director, publicly warned that a move to Major League Soccer would take Mohamed Salah out of the international spotlight. Hassan named potential European suitors and said the Saudi Pro League could be an acceptable fallback — highlighting the trade-off between competitive prestige and other incentives as Salah contemplates life after Liverpool.
What Hassan said — a clear preference for Europe
Hassan expressed a straightforward view: for a player of Salah’s status, remaining in elite European competition preserves relevance and competitive sharpness. He referenced reported interest from clubs across France, Germany and Italy and suggested Saudi Arabia as a pragmatic option if genuine European offers fail to materialise.
Why this matters for Salah’s legacy and Egypt
At 31-plus and after nine years at Liverpool, Salah’s destination will shape his final peak years and post-Liverpool legacy. Staying in Europe means continued Champions League exposure and high-level week-to-week tests — factors that matter for personal honours, commercial profile and match-readiness ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where Egypt will rely on him as a focal point.
MLS, Messi and the visibility debate
Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami transformed MLS’ profile, demonstrating the league can generate huge attention and attract stars. But Hassan’s point is practical: MLS’ schedule, travel and media reach differ from Europe’s elite competitions. For a player chasing late-career sporting milestones and global visibility, MLS represents a different — not necessarily inferior, but less conventional — route.
Transfer landscape: Europe, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and beyond
Realistic destinations for Salah include top European clubs seeking proven pace and finishing, lucrative offers from the Saudi Pro League, or competitive projects in Türkiye. Each option offers distinct benefits: Europe for sporting prestige, Saudi for financial terms and Türkiye for a competitive regional challenge. The decision will depend on Salah’s priorities: trophies and elite competition, financial security, or a new cultural and sporting environment.
What to watch next
Key signals will come from Liverpool’s stance on any transfer, the concrete offers put forward by interested clubs, and Salah’s public comments about his ambitions. For Egypt, Salah’s club choice will influence his preparation and availability heading into the 2026 World Cup cycle. Expect clubs in Europe and the Middle East to test the market aggressively; whether Salah values remaining in Europe’s spotlight will determine the outcome.
Final take
Hassan’s intervention frames the debate around visibility and competitive integrity rather than money alone.
For supporters and neutrals, the crucial question is whether Salah prioritises sporting legacy and Champions League-level competition in his next move — or embraces the growing allure of alternative leagues that offer new benefits and challenges.
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