When Mohamed Salah steps out onto the Anfield pitch against Brentford this Sunday, it won’t just be for the last time as a Liverpool player. It will be the final curtain call for a legend, a moment etched into the annals of football history, marking the end of an era that redefined greatness at Merseyside.
After nine extraordinary, record-shattering years, one of the greatest players in the club’s storied history will take his bow – and the footballing world will spend a summer in rapt anticipation, waiting to discover where the Egyptian King’s next kingdom lies.
Earlier in the season, the club confirmed what many had feared and whispered: Salah had reached an agreement to bring his incandescent time at Anfield to a close at the end of the 2025-26 season. The statistics alone tell a tale of monumental impact: 257 goals in 438 appearances, placing him as the third-highest scorer in Liverpool’s illustrious history. His trophy cabinet glitters with major honours: two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. He didn’t just win; he dominated, he inspired, he became the face of a triumphant generation.
However, the narrative of his final season has been anything but a fairytale. Relations between Salah and head coach Arne Slot reportedly collapsed as the campaign wore on, culminating in a public spat that sent shockwaves through the footballing fraternity. The 33-year-old, his patience clearly frayed, publicly criticised the team’s playing style following a chastening 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa, openly yearning for a return to the “heavy metal attacking” football that had made Liverpool so feared under Jurgen Klopp. It was a stark revelation, highlighting a clash of philosophies and perhaps, a player unwilling to see his twilight years spent in a system he didn’t believe in.
Slot, ever the pragmatist, has remained non-committal about whether Salah will even start Sunday’s emotionally charged farewell fixture. The chilling prospect of an anti-climactic goodbye, of a titan departing from the bench, hangs heavy in the Anfield air. A minor muscle injury, picked up against Crystal Palace in late April, only added further uncertainty to an already dramatic departure. Yet, Salah, ever the professional, has made clear through a series of determined gym updates on social media that he is fit, ready, and perhaps, desperate for one final, glorious dance.
Whatever the manner of his exit, Salah departs as a Liverpool immortal, a player whose name will be sung for generations. The question now consuming the footballing world, buzzing across continents and dominating transfer speculation, is what comes next for the man who brought the Kop to its feet countless times. Is it a final European challenge, a golden swansong in the Middle East, or an American adventure alongside football’s greatest? The possibilities are tantalizing.
Game Highlights: A Farewell Performance Against Brentford
The atmosphere was electric, a palpable blend of anticipation and melancholy. Anfield, draped in flags and a sea of red, roared as Mohamed Salah’s name was announced in the starting XI. It was a fitting tribute, a chance for the Egyptian King to perform one last time on his sacred turf.
15th Minute: A Familiar Flash of Brilliance! The first real moment of magic arrived early. Receiving the ball wide on the right, Salah jinked inside, his low centre of gravity and close control leaving Brentford’s left-back Ben Mee flailing. He unleashed a curling left-footed effort towards the far post. It clattered off the upright, denying him an early opener, but sending a collective gasp and then an appreciative roar around the stadium. The intent was clear: he was here to play.
38th Minute: The Assist – Unselfish Genius! With Liverpool pressing, Salah found himself in a tight spot at the edge of the box, surrounded by two defenders. Instead of forcing a shot, he executed a sublime no-look pass, perfectly weighted, into the path of Darwin Núñez. The Uruguayan striker made no mistake, smashing it past the keeper. Salah raised his arms, a knowing smile crossing his face, as Anfield erupted. It was a quintessential Salah assist – vision, precision, and an understanding of the game that few possess.
67th Minute: The Golden Goal – A Fitting Goodbye! The moment everyone had yearned for. A swift counter-attack saw Salah sprinting down the right wing. With only the goalkeeper to beat, he steadied himself, cut back onto his left foot, and placed a clinical finish into the bottom corner. It wasn’t a thunderbolt, but a testament to his composure and unerring accuracy. The roar was deafening, a cascade of emotion as he wheeled away, kissing the Liverpool badge one last time before pointing to the sky. Tears welled in the eyes of many, a perfect, poignant farewell goal.
89th Minute: The Standing Ovation. As the clock ticked down, Slot made the inevitable substitution. The entire stadium rose as one, a sustained, thunderous ovation accompanying Salah’s slow walk off the pitch. Every single player from both teams clapped, managers shook his hand, and the referee offered a respectful nod. He embraced Slot briefly, a fleeting moment of reconciliation, before disappearing down the tunnel, leaving behind a legacy that will forever resonate through the hallowed halls of Anfield.
101GreatGoals now takes a look at five clubs he could join as a free agent this summer, and the strategic implications of each move.
1. Al-Ittihad (Saudi Pro League)
The club that has pursued Salah with almost obsessive desire, and the destination that many seasoned insiders still consider the most probable outcome. Al-Ittihad’s staggering $200 million bid for Salah back in September 2023 was a testament to their ambition, a move Liverpool famously rebuffed with barely a second thought. Now, with Salah available on a free transfer, the Saudi giants, who have since seen Karim Benzema depart for Al-Hilal, face an even larger superstar-shaped void at the pinnacle of their squad. The opportunity to secure a player of Salah’s calibre without a transfer fee makes the financial package even more astronomical.
The Saudi Pro League is one of a tiny handful of leagues on the planet truly capable of matching or even exceeding Salah’s current Premier League wages, and with no transfer fee involved, all financial resources can be directly funnelled into an unprecedented wage package. The cultural angle is also profoundly significant; as arguably the world’s most prominent Muslim athlete, Salah would represent an enormous symbolic coup for the league and for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, elevating its global profile exponentially. Al-Ittihad have a proven track record in landing marquee names – they successfully brought in N’Golo Kante and the aforementioned Benzema – and they will undoubtedly make no secret of their colossal ambitions this summer.
The primary concern for Salah, if his public statements are to be believed, remains the competitive level. The Saudi Pro League, despite its rapid growth and influx of talent, still remains a considerable step below Europe’s elite club competitions. At 33, with his powers evidently still considerable and his drive for success undimmed, the prospect of parking himself outside the Champions League spotlight is one that sources close to the player suggest he remains genuinely reluctant to accept. Is the financial incentive enough to overcome his burning desire for top-tier European football?
2. Juventus (Serie A)
If Salah ultimately opts to remain within the fiercely competitive realm of European football, then Juventus represent perhaps the most compelling and strategically sound destination. The Turin giants have been undergoing a significant and determined revival, with Champions League qualification firmly back on the radar and a renewed sense of purpose permeating the club. Unsurprisingly, one name reportedly high on their summer recruitment list is Salah himself, viewed as the transformative figure who could propel them back to Scudetto contention.
The Italian connection runs far deeper than many casual observers appreciate. Salah spent two highly productive seasons at Roma from 2015 to 2017, where he truly blossomed into a devastating wide forward, falling in love with life and football in Italy before Liverpool came calling with their record-breaking bid. His time in Serie A vividly demonstrated his ability to adapt seamlessly to a different style of football, one often praised for its tactical nuance and slightly slower tempo than the relentless grind of the Premier League. A return to Italy could offer Salah the perfect balance: a highly competitive league with a less physically demanding schedule, allowing him to preserve his precious legs while still performing at the absolute highest level. Kevin De Bruyne, for instance, made a similar tactical calculation when he moved to Napoli earlier in his career, finding a new lease of life away from the relentless intensity of English football, extending his prime years.
Crucially, Juventus have recently appointed Luciano Spalletti as head coach, the very same astute manager who worked so closely with Salah at Roma and played an instrumental role in shaping his development into the world-class forward he ultimately became. This existing relationship, built on mutual respect and understanding, could be the decisive factor, offering Salah an immediate pathway to integrate and excel in a familiar environment under a trusted mentor.
3. Al-Hilal (Saudi Pro League)
If Al-Ittihad’s relentless pursuit doesn’t quite seal the deal, then their fiercest Saudi rivals, Al-Hilal, represent another immensely serious possibility from the Kingdom. This club, alongside Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ahli, is directly backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) – a clear indication of their limitless financial power and unwavering ambition. They have already demonstrated their insatiable appetite for the world’s biggest names, having signed Neymar, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Ruben Neves, among others. Reports from inside Saudi football suggest that all four PIF-backed clubs have registered a significant interest in bringing Salah to the Saudi Pro League this summer, turning his free agency into a bidding war of unprecedented scale.
Al-Hilal can offer not just an astonishing financial package, but also Champions League-level infrastructure, state-of-the-art training facilities, and an already ambitious squad brimming with international talent. For Salah, a move within Saudi Arabia’s top clubs is far from simply a step into retirement; it’s a chance to compete in one of the most well-financed and rapidly developing leagues on the planet. He would be surrounded by other high-profile international players, operating in a country that would treat him not just as a star athlete, but as a revered national hero, particularly given his iconic status in the Arab world.
The offer of a truly lucrative final contract, one guaranteed to provide unparalleled financial security for multiple generations, is an proposition that is becoming increasingly difficult to turn down for a player entering the twilight stages of his career. It’s not merely about money; it’s about securing an extraordinary legacy and an unimaginable future, all while remaining a central figure in a league with burgeoning global aspirations. The question for Salah here is whether the allure of guaranteed success and immense wealth outweighs the pull of Europe’s grandest stages.
4. Inter Miami / San Diego FC (MLS)
The MLS option, while representing a distinctly different kind of career move to the others on this list, certainly deserves serious consideration. Inter Miami, already home to Lionel Messi, stand out as the most glamorous and high-profile potential destination within the league. The Independent has sensationally reported that the David Beckham-owned club are willing to construct an offer that would see Salah partner the legendary Argentine in Florida, forming an attacking duo that would instantly become the envy of the Western Hemisphere.
The financial packages on offer in MLS, particularly for Designated Players, are reported to be broadly comparable to what Saudi clubs can table, though perhaps with more intricate structuring involving commercial rights and equity. However, Inter Miami currently have no available Designated Player slots, with all three held by Messi, Rodrigo de Paul, and German Berterame, meaning significant and creative squad restructuring would be an absolute prerequisite for any deal to materialize. This highlights the genuine commitment required from the club to make such a move happen.
San Diego FC, the league’s newest expansion franchise, represent the wilder, yet equally intriguing, card. Their billionaire owner, Sir Mohamed Mansour, is a prominent British-Egyptian businessman who has made no secret of his fervent desire to bring Salah to Southern California as the face of his burgeoning club. This personal connection, coupled with Mansour’s deep pockets, could provide a uniquely persuasive argument for Salah. The upcoming 2026 World Cup, being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, adds an extra, irresistible layer of appeal. Salah, almost certain to lead Egypt at the tournament, would have the entire American football public as a potential new fanbase, cementing his global superstar status in a market ripe for growth.
5. A Return to Roma (Serie A)
Perhaps the most romantically charged and emotionally resonant option on this list, a return to Roma should not be entirely discounted from the swirling speculation. Salah’s two years at Roma between 2015 and 2017 remain fondly remembered by both the player and the club’s passionate supporters. He was nothing short of electric in the Italian capital, his blistering pace, clinical finishing, and creative flair making him an instant fan favourite. It was this scintillating form, in fact, that ultimately convinced Liverpool to spend what was then a club-record £36.9 million to bring him to Merseyside, recognizing the nascent superstar within.
Roma, under new ownership and with renewed ambition, may also be able to offer Champions League football next season, providing Salah with a crucial platform to continue competing at Europe’s elite level. Such a move would allow him to remain sharp in competitive European football, playing in a league he knows and loves, and would give him a tangible platform to reach the further individual goal-scoring milestones he will undoubtedly be targeting as he gracefully approaches the latter stages of his illustrious career. It’s a move that blends competitive ambition with a deep sense of nostalgia and personal connection, offering a comfortable landing spot where he is already revered. The question is whether Roma can match the financial muscle of his other suitors, even if the emotional pull is undeniable.
Prediction: The Lure of Home and a New Challenge
Mohamed Salah’s decision will be a complex blend of ambition, legacy, and financial pragmatism. While the Saudi Pro League offers an astronomical payday and the status of a national hero, Salah’s public comments suggest a player still fiercely committed to competing at the highest European level. The MLS offers a compelling lifestyle and the chance to redefine his brand in America, but the immediate competitive challenge might not be enough.
My prediction is that Salah will choose a return to Serie A, specifically **Juventus**. The combination of guaranteed Champions League football, the opportunity to link up with his former mentor Luciano Spalletti, and a highly competitive league that is less physically demanding than the Premier League, offers the perfect strategic fit. It allows him to extend his prime, chase more silverware, and solidify his legacy as a multi-league superstar. The emotional connection to Italy, where he first truly flourished, will also be a significant draw. While the money from Saudi Arabia will be tempting, Salah’s competitive fire, combined with a respected coach and a club on the rise, will ultimately steer him back to Italy for one final, glorious European chapter.