Salah is adopting Ronaldo's 'bad habits'

08/12/2025 15:04:00 GameGladiator

Mohamed Salah was once an irreplaceable icon at Anfield, but within just a few days, he has turned himself into the center of controversy by openly criticizing the club and coach Arne Slot.

This act not only shocked fans but also led many to believe Salah is repeating Cristiano Ronaldo’s mistakes at Manchester United three years ago: selfishness, putting himself above the team, and using the media to apply pressure.

What is happening with Salah?

The calculated seven-and-a-half-minute interview Salah gave in the Elland Road tunnel after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds is the clearest evidence. Completely unlike his usual calm demeanor, the Egyptian star sought out reporters and repeatedly emphasized that he was "run over," promised things that never happened, and made a scapegoat for the team’s poor performance this season. He even hinted that the upcoming match against Brighton might be his farewell to Anfield and asserted that someone does not want him to stay at the club.

These words caused a huge shock. No one expected such an experienced player, with nearly a decade at the club, to pour fuel on the fire while the whole team is in crisis and coach Slot is struggling to keep his job. This is not a momentary outburst but a deliberate act. Just like Ronaldo did with Manchester United in his interview with Piers Morgan, Salah chose the moment when the team was at its weakest and most vulnerable to "drop a media bomb."

It’s worth noting that Salah fully understands his influence. He is a living legend with 250 goals in over 400 matches and the highest-paid player in the club. Every word he utters carries great impact. But instead of restraining himself to focus on his craft before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah chose to publicly expose internal conflicts, making the already tense atmosphere even heavier.

If analyzed fairly, Salah’s dissatisfaction is not without reason. He has been benched for three consecutive matches, something never before experienced in his Liverpool career. Notably, he is the only one dropped after defeats to Nottingham Forest and PSV, while Konate’s continuous mistakes and Gakpo’s lackluster performances have not cost them their starting spots. However, feeling aggrieved does not justify destroying the team’s stability. A great star must understand that his place must be earned through performance, not media pressure.

Salah seems to be following in Ronaldo’s footsteps.

Don’t be like Ronaldo!

The truth is Salah is performing poorly this season: 5 goals in 19 games, often disappearing during matches, contributing little defensively, and leaving a large gap behind for opponents to exploit. Compared to last season, when he exploded with 34 goals and 23 assists, this is a clear regression. Salah is no longer himself but still demands privileges like in his prime. This is the lack of self-awareness Ronaldo also showed when publicly criticizing Manchester United while forgetting he no longer met the professional standards.

Another similarity between the two stars is how they see themselves as "bigger than the club." Ronaldo once claimed he was disrespected by Ten Hag and Manchester United’s leadership. Salah repeats this pattern: "I have done too much for this club; I don’t need to fight for my position every day." But football doesn’t work that way. No one is guaranteed a starting spot just because of past achievements. When form drops, sitting on the bench is normal. The problem is Salah refuses to accept this and chooses the worst way to react.

What is the consequence? Liverpool’s locker room falls into conflict. Slot, already under great pressure, now faces a crisis with his star player. If reconciliation fails, one of them will have to leave. And with Fenway Sports Group always backing the coach, the prospect of Salah being sold in January is entirely possible. Ironically, just months ago, he was considered "irreplaceable," but now his position is seriously threatened.

A big question arises: What does Salah want? Respect? Privileges? An escape to Saudi Arabia with a huge salary? Or simply to pressure the club to regain his spot? Whatever the reason, his chosen method is wrong. A big club cannot operate based on individual emotions, and Liverpool cannot be held hostage by the ego of a 33-year-old star.

The saddest part is Salah is damaging the image he built. From a humble, hardworking, and principled icon, he now appears as a selfish player who disrespects teammates and the coach. These are exactly the criticisms once aimed at Ronaldo when he forced Manchester United to part ways bitterly.

If this is the end of Salah’s relationship with Liverpool, it is unfortunate that it concludes this way. He deserves to leave in glory, not chaos. But the decision is not Liverpool’s to make—it is Salah who ignited an unnecessary media crisis.

Vu Manh

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