Mohamed Salah’s annual Christmas post has once again ignited a firestorm of debate, as the Liverpool star shared a festive family picture on social media, receiving both praise and sharp criticism. The Egyptian footballer, who has been a beacon of excellence for his club this season, posted the image late on Christmas Eve, featuring himself, his wife Magi, and their two daughters, Makka and Kayan, all dressed in matching pyjamas in front of a towering Christmas tree.
With the caption, “Merry Christmas,” Salah’s heartfelt gesture appeared to be a simple family moment. However, the image quickly attracted controversy, as it has in previous years. Many of his Muslim followers expressed disappointment, pointing out the contradiction between his public display of Christmas cheer and the tenets of Islam, which traditionally does not celebrate the holiday.
The backlash was swift and vocal. One Instagram user wrote, “You let me down, bro,” while another said, “Delete this right now!” A third follower echoed a more dramatic sentiment: “At this point, I’m just disappointed in you.” The criticisms came from fans who felt that Salah, a prominent Muslim athlete, was compromising his religious beliefs by participating in a predominantly Christian celebration.
However, there were also plenty of voices defending the 32-year-old forward. Supporters rallied around him, reminding critics of his personal choice to embrace the holiday season with his family. “Merry Christmas, Mo. Ignore all these idiots. Hope you and your family have a well-deserved holiday season,” one fan wrote. Others found amusement in the recurring pattern of reactions, with one commenting, “In what has become an annual tradition on Christmas Day, I read and enjoy the comments on this post for an hour. Never disappoints.”
Salah’s relationship with his fans has always been a delicate balance. While he is widely adored by supporters of Liverpool and the broader football community, he has faced criticism from some segments of the Muslim community for his holiday posts, which they see as contradictory to his faith. This year, the responses seemed particularly intense, with some even vowing to unfollow him on social media, citing their disapproval.
This isn’t the first time that Salah’s Christmas posts have stirred controversy. His family photo has become a beloved tradition for many fans, but for others, it raises difficult questions about faith, cultural boundaries, and personal choices. While some Muslims in Egypt and around the world celebrate Christmas in a secular way, others hold that such practices go against Islamic teachings.
Despite the backlash, Salah appears undeterred by the criticism. In a 2023 interview, he was asked about his views on Christmas, and he responded diplomatically, stating that his festive posts are simply a way to share happiness and love with his family and fans, regardless of religious affiliation. “It’s just about love and giving, and that’s something we can all relate to,” he said.
For many of his fans, Salah’s presence on social media during the holiday season is a symbol of warmth and family, offering a rare glimpse into the private life of one of the world’s top footballers. He has repeatedly expressed his deep affection for his family, and his social media accounts are often filled with moments of familial joy.
One of his defenders, a fellow Muslim, took to Twitter to speak out in Salah’s favour: “We Muslim people look up to you and you do this in return,” they wrote, accompanied by three crying emojis. “If it bothers you that much, just unfollow. Some of us have learned to separate religion from human kindness.”
