What’s the story behind Mo Salah’s new celebration?

Mohamed Salah continues to etch his name into Premier League history after starting the season in great form, with his latest goal against Chelsea moving him to ninth on the all-time scoring list. 

His impressive tally of 10 combined goals and assists are the second-most in 2024/25, level with Erling Haaland and only one behind Cole Palmer.

Salah's brilliance was on full display from the opening match against Ipswich Town at Portman Road, where he not only found the net but also introduced us to a new celebration, creating a bow with his arms, drawing back and firing an invisible arrow.

Salah's goal v Ipswich

He repeated the move with goals against Brentford, Manchester United, and Chelsea, solidifying it as his new signature celebration.

But where did Salah get the idea from?

UFC inspiration

The Egyptian says it is a reference to current professional MMA fighter Israel Adesanya.

During an interview, Salah said he was watching a UFC contest between Adesanya and Alex Pereira, and when Adesanya won, he produced a bow and arrow gesture.

Adesanya performing the celebration that inspired Salah

Liverpool’s talisman explained that his new celebration is a nod to Adesanya’s, as he is a UFC fan and enjoyed the move after the UFC win.

Salah also went on to say in the interview that: “People take it as our Egyptian pharaohs, when drawn in temples or the pyramids. It’s similar.”

In recent times the archery-themed celebration has been used by Premier League players such as Tottenham Hotspur's Dominic Solanke and Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes.

Salah's other memorable celebrations

Before adopting the bow and arrow celebration, the Egyptian had been associated with a number of moves through the years. 

Throughout his whole career, Salah has consistently expressed his faith after scoring.

He often points to the sky and practises the sujud, an Islamic practice of prostration.

In sujud, one bows down and places their forehead on the ground, symbolising submission and devotion to God, a central element of daily prayers in Islam.

Another of Salah's most memorable celebrations came after his stunning wonder-strike against Chelsea during the 2018/19 season, where he celebrated with Vrikshasana, or the tree pose.

Salah's goal v Chelsea

In a post-match interview, he declared, "I am a yoga man! I do yoga, and it just came into my mind." 

Salah continued this theme in Liverpool's next home match against Huddersfield, where he performed Sukhasana, or the Lotus pose, following another goal in a dominant 5-0 victory.

Interestingly, while the Lotus pose is more often associated with Haaland, Salah performed it before him.

But for the time being Salah is showing off his bow and arrow celebration and, with an impressive record of 10 goals in 14 matches against Arsenal, there is a strong possibility we will see him perform it at the Emirates this Sunday.