MLS chief hits back at Mohamed Salah transfer claim — 'Just not true'
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesMohamed SalahThe Liverpool star is set to call time on his Anfield career this summer, and attention has already turned to where he could potentially end up at the start of next seasonMLS commissioner Don Garber has responded to claims that Mohamed Salah should avoid moving to the league(Image: Getty Images)MLS commissioner Don Garber has responded to comments that Mohamed Salah should avoid the league when choosing his next club, and rejected suggestions that Lionel Messi’s profile has suffered since moving to the United States.Those comments were made by the Egyptian national team director Ibrahim Hassan, who claimed Salah should remain in Europe or join the Saudi Pro League when weighing up his options this summer.“A move to the Major League? He would be far too out of the spotlight,” said Hassan.
“You won’t remember Salah any more than I remember Messi now, I don’t even try to watch him.”READ MORE: Ibrahima Konate drops clearest contract hint yet with promise to Liverpool fansREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher 'changed mind' on Mohamed Salah after two things he failed to doSalah confirmed last week that he is set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season and will likely have his pick of clubs. Saudi Arabia will almost certainly be an option for the 33-year-old, while Garber has said he would “love” to see Salah playing in the United States.Speaking in a separate interview with the Guardian on Monday, the MLS executive was asked about those comments from Hassan.“Well, that’s the first time that I’ve ever heard anything like that,” he responded.“Leo Messi is the most popular player in the world.
He was, and he still is. I’d be happy to send an Apple subscription to the head of the Egyptian FA so he can watch as many Messi games as he’d like."Don Garber helped convince Lionel Messi to join MLS(Image: Getty Images)“I think that [Hassan’s] point of view is very indicative of what MLS deals with as we develop as an aspiring major player on the world stage,” Garber added.“I can remember, not that long ago, Mexican national team coaches saying: ‘If you’re in MLS, you’re not going to play for our national team.’ That’s not the case today.“We have national team players that have played in Major League Soccer, and we’ve got two or three players that are playing for Argentina and are playing in MLS.”Garber added that the league is “constantly dealing with this perspective that we, Americans, will never get it, and it’s just not true.”An approach from MLS seems almost certain, especially with San Diego FC owner Mohamed Mansour recently stating APF that Salah would be an “asset” to any team.Assuming he is fit, the winger will begin his Liverpool farewell tour this weekend when he faces a final trip to old adversaries, Manchester City.Salah could have just 10 games remaining for the Reds, although that number may increase depending on cup success.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Mohamed SalahLiverpool FCTransfers