"Mo Salah is a better human being than he is a football player," wrote English comedian John Oliver, adding, "And he’s one of the best football players in the world." Granted, Oliver is a diehard fan of Mohamed "Mo" Salah's team, Liverpool Football Club (FC). Despite this inherent bias, a preponderance of evidence suggests Oliver may not be entirely off base in his rankings. There is no question the 29-year-old Egyptian Salah (pictured, left) is one of the world's best footballers, a fleet-footed forward who last year led Liverpool to its first Premier League title in 30 years. Off the pitch, however, is where Salah truly distinguishes himself. Salah's charitable works are innumerable. His acts of generosity in his Egyptian homeland are legendary, ranging from paying for weddings to donating $300,000 to the cash-strapped government. Once, after his family in Nagrig, Egypt was robbed, Salah not only dropped the charges but gave the robber money and helped him find work. According to Salah's lifelong friend, Mohamed Bassyouni, such acts are indicative of his true character. "He still comes back to Nagrig, every Ramadan, to present prizes to local kids," says Bassyouni. "He comes here, he plays table tennis and pool. When he comes back, he signs every autograph, stands for every picture. He hasn't changed." Virtue, as goes the proverb, is its own reward. As an added karmic bonus for being so generous with his money and time, however, Salah's extracurricular table tennis practice has netted him some additional accolades. Every summer, the Liverpool squad travels to Évian, France for a pre-season training camp. After completing their drills on the field, they hone their reflexes and build camaraderie with an intra-squad doubles ping-pong championship. Salah entered the tourney as the two-time defending champion. Partnered with Matt McCann, Liverpool's media manager, the barefooted Salah won the title for the third straight year. As on the pitch, Salah is always looking for a shot on goal, firing forehand smashes with greater exuberance than accuracy. His signature shot is a shakehand forehand from the backhand side. Uniquely, Salah does not cross his forehand over center by pointing up à la Seemiller, but rather by pointing down like a penhold grip. The resulting shot is more cramped and awkward-looking than the traditional (non-reverse) penhold backhand, but through his limber shoulder and famous footwork, does manage to impart some degree of speed and topspin. While Salah is riding high as the Ma Long of Liverpool, he is ducking a much more serious challenge from his homeland. Two years ago, Salah's 13-year-old compatriot Hana Goda became Egypt's youngest-ever national women's singles champion. She then issued a public challenge to Salah, which he accepted but has yet to fulfill. While everyone gets a pass due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Salah cannot hide from Goda forever. Sporting success and philanthropy are great and all, to be sure. If Mo Salah wishes to retain his top ranking as a human being, however, he must honor his promise to yet another young fan from his homeland. Even if it means getting publicly spanked by a little girl.

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