Mohamed Salah Admits Being ‘аԀԀιctеԀ’ to Online Chess and Hopes to Face Magnus Carlsen in the Future

Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah has recently disclosed his love for online chess, revealing that he indulges in the game on a daily basis with random opponents. The highly acclaimed Egyptian forward, regarded as one of the world’s best football players, expressed his aspiration to meet Magnus Carlsen, the five-time world chess champion. In an interview with Sky Sports, Salah admitted his addiction to chess and shared that he adopts a different username while playing online to maintain anonymity. Some opponents have even questioned his true identity, leading to playful responses where he simultaneously confirms and denies his identity as Salah.

Although Salah humbly acknowledges that he is not on par with the exceptional skills of Magnus Carlsen, he considers himself a proficient player with a rating of approximately 1400. Carlsen, known for his enthusiasm for football and his admiration for Salah, responded positively to the invitation, conveying his interest with a simple emoji on Twitter. Interestingly, Salah’s teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold had previously engaged in an exhibition match against Carlsen in 2018, resulting in Alexander-Arnold’s defeat after just 17 moves.

Beyond his mastery of football, Salah has also explored other sports. He mentioned his prowess in paddle tennis, occasional participation in tennis matches, and surprisingly respectable performance in golf. With a lighthearted remark, Salah jokingly acknowledged that his golf skills may not conform to the traditional English style but are commendable for an Egyptian. His diverse interests and his eagerness to embrace new challenges beyond the realm of football highlight his versatility as an athlete.