SunSport ventured to Nagrig, the Egyptian village of footballing sensation Mohamed Salah, to uncover the roots and impact of the player who has scored an astounding 40 goals this season, propelling Liverpool to the Champions League semi-finals.

Nagrig, situated 80 miles north of Cairo in Gharbia, is where Salah’s journey began. Despite his global fame and £90,000-a-week salary, Salah has never forgotten his humble beginnings. Born into a modest family, Salah’s rise from the narrow streets of his hometown to football stardom is as inspiring as it is extraordinary.

Growing up in a three-story home a short walk from a local football pitch, Salah was the eldest of four children. His parents held government jobs, and his father was also involved in the local jasmine trade. Despite his immense success, Salah’s heart remains firmly anchored in Nagrig.

Salah’s generosity is legendary in his hometown. He funded the region’s first ambulance and invested in critical medical equipment that serves dozens of people daily. His charitable foundation provides essential supplies to many families, with Salah spending between £2,000 and £3,500 monthly to support them. His contributions are also transforming Nagrig through the construction of a youth center, a girls’ school, and a medical clinic.

Salah’s impact is so profound that he’s affectionately known as the “happiness maker.” His first significant act of charity upon joining Liverpool was a donation of $300,000 (approximately £210,000) to the Tahya Masr fund, following a meeting with President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi.

To ensure his donations are effectively utilized, Salah established his own charity in Nagrig. Maher Shatiyah, board manager of the Mohamed Salah Charity Foundation, shared insights into Salah’s unwavering commitment. Shatiyah praised Salah for his support, including food distribution and establishing the town’s first ambulance service.

Currently, Salah’s charity is developing a services complex and a well-equipped medical clinic. On a 1,500 square-meter plot, a girls’ school is under construction to provide local girls with education opportunities without leaving the village.

Salah frequently returns to Nagrig, especially during Ramadan, to share his wealth with the local community. He also contributes practical gifts to newlyweds. One of his notable gestures involved declining a bonus offered by former Zamalek president Mamdouh Abbas for his role in Egypt’s 2018 World Cup qualification. Instead, Salah redirected the funds to purchase medical supplies for his hometown.

In another act of extraordinary kindness, when his family’s home was burgled, Salah opted to help the thief find a job rather than pursue legal action. Dr. Alaa al-Ghamrawi, who leads a national program to fight rheumatoid arthritis, revealed that Salah financed crucial medical equipment, including a £10,000 early detection device and incubators for premature infants at Basyoun Hospital.

Salah’s profound influence is commemorated in Nagrig and Basyoun, where institutions such as a secondary school and a sports center bear his name. His generosity extends to Tanta University Hospital, where he donated £50,000 for modern medical equipment, and Mohamed Ayyad Al-Tantawy school, where he funded gym equipment and an all-weather pitch.

Local residents, including accountant Adel al-Abbas, highlight that Salah’s charitable work is a natural extension of his upbringing. Despite his global fame, Salah’s commitment to giving back reflects his deep-rooted values and enduring gratitude towards his hometown.