How did Mohamed Salah become one of the world's most expensive stars?

In a poignant moment that brings to a close one of the greatest professional journeys in the history of Arab players, Egyptian star Mohamed Salah officially announced his departure from Liverpool at the end of the 2025-2026 season. This marks the end of a golden era filled with titles and individual and collective achievements, leaving behind an exceptional legacy at Anfield . With this announcement, the spotlight returns to one of the most prominent success stories in modern football: the evolution of Salah's market value. This journey clearly reflects his remarkable development and impact on the pitch, from his humble beginnings to his rise to global stardom .  The "Egyptian King's" journey began in June 2010 with a market value of no more than €25,000, according to Transfermarkt. This value gradually increased to €300,000 in December 2011, and then to €1.5 million in 2012, coinciding with the start of his professional career outside Egypt and his growing recognition in European leagues . 2012 witnessed a significant surge in the player's value, jumping to €4 million in September, and then continuing its upward climb to €8.5 million in November 2014, thanks to his remarkable performances and his establishment as an influential player in Europe . With his continued brilliance, the Egyptian star's market value rose to €20 million in November 2015, before experiencing a substantial increase to €40 million in October 2017, coinciding with his move to Liverpool and the beginning of a new chapter in his career . 2018 marked the true peak of Salah's market value, doubling to €80 million in January, before reaching a record-breaking €150 million in May of the same year, following an exceptional season in which he shattered records in the English Premier League . Over the following years, Salah maintained his position among the world's top stars, despite a relative decline in his market value. It reached €120 million in April 2020, then €100 million in June 2021, and €90 million in June 2022, before gradually decreasing to €80 million in November 2022, then €70 million in March 2023, and €65 million in June of the same year . This gradual decline in market value continued with his age, reaching €30 million in December 2025 and remaining at that level to this day. This is a natural progression in line with a player's age, without diminishing his technical ability or impact on the field . This upward and downward trajectory of market value embodies the story of a player who forged his success through hard work and determination, becoming one of the greatest professionals in the history of Egyptian and African football, and one of the most prominent stars in the English Premier League over the last decade . As his journey with Liverpool draws to a close, Mohamed Salah remains a landmark in the history of the club and its fans, and an immortal football icon whose achievements will remain in the memory of world football for many years to come.