The bizarre security measures that protect African superstar Mohamed Salah from things that could "make him sick or kill him" have now been revealed.
The Liverpool and Egypt attacker is not only an icon in his home country, but has also become a worldwide phenomenon after the success he has attained with the Merseyside club, gaining immense popularity with the side's fanbase that spans around the globe.
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With his fame ever-increasing, Salah's personal bodyguard Karim Abdou recently shared details pertaining to the methods used to keep his client safe, like what happens when a fan wants to show their appreciation of the winger by sending him a present.
"All gifts have to be scanned. We don't accept gifts, but sometimes if I take them from people, they have to be scanned," Abdou said on the 5ASide Podcast.
"You never know what is in the gift. It could make him sick or kill him, you don't know."
Saudi Arabia's determination to lure the forward to their league with a reported bid of £150 million (R3.4 billion) by Pro League side Al-Ittihad highlights his significance in the footballing world.
Despite his popularity, however, Abdou insists that the player still manages to keep a low profile, but even then there are dangers to look out for, especially in his homeland.
"He is a ghost. He cannot be seen. One time, he went to pray in a mosque," he added.
"Nobody knew where he lived and somebody followed him. [A guy following him] put in a WhatsApp group, 'Mo Salah lives in that address'."
According to Abdou, 20 000 people showed up to the Egypt international's house once they found out where he lived.
After being part of the Reds' UEFA Champions League-winning side in 2019, Salah's popularity was at an all-time high, making it even more difficult for him to maintain his low profile.
"When he won the Champions League, that was the most crazy time," Abdou continued.
"It was Eid and that prayer is thousands of people in the street because it is like Christmas here... He was supposed to go and pray in the street with everybody and he just won the Champions League so everyone wants to take pictures with him.
"Every single Egyptian media, TV, newspaper, it was like the final of the World Cup. They were lining up in front of his house.
"At the same time, I was at a hotel with the Egyptian national team. He was supposed to finish the two days off and come there.
"Out of nowhere, he was inside the house and could not even open the door. They tried to escape him out the back door, but they couldn't."
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