Trabzonspor Fans Will Worship You, Then Turn On You’ — Mikel Warns Salah

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has warned Mohamed Salah that the adulation awaiting him at Trabzonspor will come with enormous pressure to deliver consistently on the pitch.

Salah received a hero’s welcome in Trabzon, with thousands of supporters turning out at the airport before packing the stadium for his official unveiling. The scale of the reception underlined the excitement surrounding the Egyptian forward’s arrival.

Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel said Salah must understand the unique football culture in Trabzon, where supporters are fiercely passionate and expect nothing less than consistent success from their players.

“The people in the city will worship you if you’re playing well and winning games,” Mikel said. “But they turn on you quickly. They don’t care who you are or where you are from.”

The former Nigeria international described Trabzon as a football-obsessed city where the game dominates conversations and daily life, making the expectations on high-profile players particularly intense.

Mikel admitted he was stunned by the reception Salah received, saying the turnout surpassed anything he had expected.

“Thousands of people came out to greet Mo Salah, and it was absolutely astonishing. I believe the entire stadium was filled for his announcement. It was unbelievable,” he said.

He added that the excitement had also been reflected in Trabzonspor’s digital presence, with the club’s social media engagement surging following Salah’s arrival.

However, Mikel stressed that the overwhelming reception could quickly become a source of pressure if Salah fails to produce on the pitch.

“It is a double-edged sword,” he said, noting that the supporters’ passion brings both adoration and enormous expectations.

Mikel nevertheless expressed optimism that Salah and his family would enjoy their new surroundings, insisting that the Egyptian would remain a fan favourite as long as he continues to perform.

“If he keeps performing, they will absolutely worship him,” he added.

The former Chelsea star also questioned the reasons behind Salah’s decision to move to Turkey, particularly with lucrative offers available elsewhere.

“Salah has his reasons for moving there — is it for football or financial incentives? If we consider finances, surely Saudi Arabia would be the better option,” Mikel said.