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Mo Salah has sparked controversy with his family Christmas post, drawing mixed reactions from fans while staying focused on football.
Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah finds himself at the center of a storm following his annual family Christmas post.
The photo, shared on Salah’s Instagram account, showed the star footballer posing with his wife Magi and daughters Makka and Kayan in festive pyjamas beside a Christmas tree and gingerbread decoration.
Captioned with "#MerryChristmas," the post stirred both praise and criticism from his 63.7 million followers.
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The Salah family’s tradition of sharing holiday photos has previously attracted polarized reactions, but this year, the backlash among some Muslim fans appears to have intensified.
While Salah’s cheerful gesture was embraced by many, others accused him of deviating from Islamic practices.
One follower expressed disappointment, commenting, “You let me down bro,” while another urged the Liverpool star to remove the post, writing, “Delete this right now.” A third fan lamented, “We Muslim people look up to you, and you do this in return,” accompanied by crying emojis.
Yet, Salah also garnered a wave of support.
A user named @jamesredmond_97 defended the forward, commenting, “Merry Christmas Mo. Ignore all these idiots. Hope you and your family have a well-deserved holiday season.”
Another fan highlighted the predictable nature of such backlash, stating, “In what has become an annual tradition on Christmas Day, I read and enjoy the comments on Salah's post for an hour. Never disappoints.”
The controversy underscores the challenges faced by high-profile Muslim athletes in balancing personal life with cultural and religious expectations.
Salah, who is widely regarded as a role model for Muslims worldwide, has often been praised for showcasing his faith on and off the pitch.
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However, his decision to celebrate Christmas with his family has sparked debates about cultural assimilation and religious identity.
Despite the uproar, Salah's performances on the field remain unaffected.
The Egyptian forward has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 15 goals and providing 11 assists before Christmas—a record-breaking achievement.
Salah’s contributions have solidified his status as the Premier League’s leading player, with many tipping him for another Golden Boot.
Liverpool fans have largely rallied behind their star, emphasizing his right to celebrate in his personal capacity.
“Mo Salah is a footballer, not a theologian. Let the man enjoy Christmas with his family!” one fan tweeted.
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The timing of the controversy came as Salah and Liverpool prepared for a crucial Boxing Day fixture against Leicester City at Anfield which they won 3-1.
With the Reds vying for top positions in the Premier League table, Salah’s focus remains on maintaining his stellar form and leading his team to further success.
Salah has not responded publicly to the criticisms, choosing instead to share glimpses of his family’s holiday celebrations.
While his Christmas post has drawn millions of likes, the polarized reactions illustrate the tightrope athletes like Salah walk in navigating personal choices under the scrutiny of a global audience.
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