Mohamed Salah has put an end to months of speculation surrounding his future by signing a new contract with Liverpool, committing his long-term future to Anfield until the summer of 2027. In an exclusive interview with France Football, the Egyptian star opened up about the turbulent months leading up to the deal, revealing just how close he came to ending his storied spell with the Reds.Until April 11, it appeared the eight-year relationship between Salah and Liverpool might come to a quiet end, without a formal farewell. In 2024, the club rejected a £100 million offer from Saudi Arabia, while reports linked him with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.Manchester City tried to snatch Trent awayMeanwhile, fans waited nervously for clarity, and Salah – rather than buckle under pressure – responded in the most emphatic way: with goals, assists, and a Premier League title.”There was a real possibility I could leave. It felt a bit strange — we were playing brilliantly this season, but the negotiations were long and far from easy. In the end, all’s well that ends well: we’re champions, and I’m staying for two more seasons,” Salah told France Football.##NAJAVA_MECA_8916320##Salah admitted that the uncertainty surrounding his future served as fuel for one of the best campaigns of his career.”I think, in the end, it turned out to be a huge advantage. Statistically, this has been the best season of my life. The thought that it could be my final season here maybe pushed me to give everything and deliver on the title I had promised,” he said.Despite the tension, the Liverpool forward insisted there was no bitterness even when a contract extension seemed unlikely.”My mindset was simple: if the club didn’t want to renew my contract, that’s okay. Let’s finish on a high so I can leave with success and pride.”##EDITORS_CHOICE##Salah also reflected candidly on his complex relationship with former teammate Sadio Mane. Alongside Roberto Firmino, the trio formed one of the most devastating attacking lines in modern football, guiding Liverpool to the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup, and numerous other silverware. Between the 2017-18 and 2022-23 seasons, they combined for a staggering 338 goals.But behind the on-pitch brilliance, things weren’t always harmonious.The peak of their tension came during a 2019 match against Burnley, when Mane reacted furiously after Salah didn’t pass the ball to him in a promising situation. The Senegalese forward’s outburst on the bench made headlines worldwide.Mo Salah to @ballondor on his relationship with Sadio Mane:”I scored a lot (44 goals in my first season), and then Sadio told himself it was his turn to score more too.Yes, there was tension with Sadio. But look, we remained professional until the end, and I don’t think it… pic.twitter.com/e9khwojE28— Ismael Mahmoud – إسماعيل محمود (@ismaeelmahmoudd) May 10, 2025 Looking back, Salah acknowledged the friction but downplayed its impact.”Yes, there was tension with Sadio. But we were professionals to the end. I don’t think it ever affected the team. It’s only natural to want more — I get that, he’s a competitor. Off the pitch, we weren’t close, but we always respected each other.”Responding to criticism that he’s a selfish player, Salah was blunt.”I don’t care. People are entitled to their opinions. But let the facts speak — I’m the player who assisted Sadio the most: 18 times.”While their partnership has officially ended, the legacy remains. Salah and Mane may not have been close friends, but their chemistry on the field helped script one of the brightest chapters in Liverpool’s history — built not on camaraderie, but on results.##NAJAVA_MECA_8916366##
