Mohamed Salah Faces Personal Tragedy After Liverpool's Defeat
Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah has been struck by a profound personal loss, just one day after Liverpool's disappointing 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League. The two-time CAF Player of the Year is mourning the passing of his grandfather, Ahmed Abdel Aziz Al Bambi, who died on Monday, February 9, 2026.
Grandfather's Death Confirmed by Family
The sad news was officially confirmed by Salah's uncle, Abdel Aziz Al Bambi, who serves as the chairman of the Mohamed Salah Youth Centre. The Liverpool forward expressed his deep grief publicly, asking fans across the globe to pray for mercy and forgiveness for his departed grandfather.
Tributes have been pouring in from supporters worldwide, including those from his native Egypt and his club side Liverpool. Funeral prayers are scheduled to take place at the Grand Mosque of Musa in Nagrig, Salah's hometown, before the burial ceremony. Members of the local community, the Egyptian Football Federation, and loved ones are expected to attend in large numbers to pay their final respects.
Fans React with Heartfelt Condolences
Liverpool supporters have flooded social media with messages of sympathy for Salah during this difficult time. One fan wrote, "May almighty Allah accept his returns and grant him eternal rest in Alijanah fidarousi, Ameena." Another supporter expressed concern about the team's recent hardships, stating, "This season has been full of heartache for the entire team. I wish it would just end at this point."
Several fans noted the accumulation of personal tragedies affecting Liverpool players this season, with one commenting, "Diogo, Ibou's dad, Mo's grandfather, been a really tough 12 months. Condolences and hope he spends as much time with family as he needs." Another supporter added, "Three long term injuries, Diogo died, Bradley's father died, Ibou's father died and now Mo's grandfather. It's just getting worse."
Challenging Season for Liverpool Continues
The 2025/26 Premier League season has been particularly difficult for Liverpool FC, marked by both on-field struggles and off-field tragedies. The Reds lost forward Diogo Jota in a fatal car accident with his younger brother in Zamora, Spain, before the campaign began. Defender Ibrahima Konate also suffered the loss of his father earlier in the season.
Currently sitting sixth in the league table following their defeat to Manchester City at Anfield, Liverpool faces additional challenges with Salah's personal loss. There are strong indications that the Egyptian forward may miss his grandfather's funeral due to the team's tight playing schedule.
Salah's Return to Action and Team Schedule
Despite his personal grief, Mohamed Salah is expected to return to action this week as Liverpool prepares for crucial matches. The team faces Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday and Brighton in the FA Cup on Saturday, according to football statistics platform Sofa Score.
This personal tragedy for Salah comes months after teammate Diogo Jota's death, adding to what has become an emotionally draining season for the Liverpool squad. The football community continues to show support for Salah during this period of mourning, recognizing the human aspect behind the athlete's public persona.
