A promotional video released by Trabzonspor to announce the signing of Egyptian star Mohamed Salah has captured millions of hearts on social media. Filmed in the Araklı and Sürmene districts of Trabzon, the clip blends the region's famed hospitality and Black Sea cuisine with Salah's approachable personality.
A dream that came true
The video centers on 74-year-old Hatice Akbaş, who dreams of Salah joining Trabzonspor and then prepares a table full of local delicacies for him. With the tagline 'Those who say you see in dreams, well, our dreams come true,' the table features kuymak (a cornmeal and cheese dish), karalahana sarması (Black Sea kale rolls), mavi yemiş (blueberry), cornbread, butter, and kaygana (a regional pancake).
'He felt like a son to me'
Speaking after the shoot, Akbaş said she never imagined sharing a table with Salah. 'It's an indescribable feeling,' she told Anadolu Agency, adding that Salah promised her a signed jersey. 'I hugged him like my own son. My relatives called and cried, they were so surprised.' Akbaş noted that Salah enjoyed all the dishes and kept smiling throughout.
Black Sea cuisine and championship hopes
Fellow cast member Erkan Yüce described working with Salah as a career highlight, calling the Liverpool legend 'one of the top footballers in the world.' He emphasized the warmth of the encounter: 'He tasted everything—karalahana sarması, kuymak, hamsi kuşu (anchovy). He felt like one of us, like a boy from the village.' Yüce and Akbaş both expressed confidence that Salah will bring a championship title to the Black Sea club, with Akbaş already planning to attend a match. Visiting fans, including a Galatasaray supporter from Izmir, praised the video for capturing the spirit of Trabzon and turning the transfer into a regional celebration.
