Mohamed Salah: Moving to Europe…

It was very difficult. That’s what I can say, it’s very difficult to move to a club on another continent, especially at such a young age.

I grew up in Egypt, I knew everything in Egypt… but I didn’t know anything in Switzerland. I couldn’t understand any language because I couldn’t speak English or Swiss German. I didn’t know where I could pick up my food or anything.

I went there and lived alone. It was a difficult time because I didn’t know what to do. We’d finish training and I’d have 15 hours until I was back at training, with 10 of them to sleep, so I’d just go for walks around the streets for a few hours, then go back to the hotel.

When I got back to the hotel, I’d have no channels I could watch – no Egyptian channels on the TV! So it was a tough time in the beginning, but I think I was able to change in my mind quickly and adapt. I was flexible and I told myself, ‘OK, now I have to deal with this situation or it will be even tougher’. So that’s what I did.

I was there alone, but all the time I was thinking about improving myself and trying to become different to all the other players, or other Egyptian players. That’s what was always in my mind and, as I said, that’s why I was able very quickly to change my mind.

I started English courses and had some classes to help me communicate. They were going well, but after a while I had to stop because I wasn’t getting enough time to complete them after training. When I came to England with Chelsea, I was able to improve my English a little bit. Then I obviously went to Italy and learnt Italian, which I can speak well – and now I am back in England to improve my English, although now I think it is fine!

On the pitch, it was a step up for me – most of all in the Champions League. Playing in that tournament was unbelievable and one of the reasons I wanted to join Basel. In my first year there, we didn’t make the group stages because we lost in the qualifying round.

But we had a really good Europa League run that season, reaching the semi-finals. I personally also did well in the competition; I think I made five or six assists and was one of the leading assist-makers in the competition.

I was very happy, but I was determined to help us get back in the Champions League – and we did the following season.

What I can say is Basel is a fantastic club. Absolutely fantastic. I have a good relationship even now with the president of the club, the ex-president and everyone there. They are still my friends and I love them so much.

I always look out for their results to see how they’re doing, especially because there is one Egyptian player there who is my friend – Omar Gaber. We are very close and we talk to each other every day.

They provide a brilliant base for any African player to start in Europe. It is a big club, everything is fine organisationally, they’re very professional and I played Champions League and Europa League.

Basel is a huge step in my career so far. 100 per cent, without Basel I wouldn’t be the player I am now. 100 per cent.

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