Traditional family

Salah was raised in a traditional family where both his parents had government jobs. In addition to his government role, Salah's father also traded in Jasmine flowers, Nagrig's main harvest exported for perfume production.

Salah married Magi, a fellow Nagrig resident, when he was 20. The couple have a daughter, Makka, named after the Saudi Arabian city that is home to Islam's holiest site.

The Liverpool winger still spends his annual leave with his family in Nagrig, where he has never forgotten his roots.

Among his donations is money used to build an intensive care unit at Basyoun Central Hospital, said Saadani.

"He is very modest... eight-year-old Mohamed is the same Mohamed (as he is now), Africa's top player."

Agence France - presse