Just days before Africa’s biggest football stage lights up, a new boot quietly tells a much louder story. adidas has unveiled a new signature F50 Elite for Mohamed Salah, designed by Egyptian creative Abdu Galal. It’s not just about performance. It’s about identity, pride, and what it means to carry a nation’s legacy onto the pitch.
An Egyptian Designer, An Egyptian Icon
Working from adidas’ headquarters in Germany, acclaimed Egyptian designer Abdelrahman Galal (professionally known as Abdu Galal) brings his background, beliefs, and love for football into his second collaboration for Salah. This isn’t a random pairing or a design brief gone global. It’s personal.
For Galal, merging Egyptian heritage with modern football has always been the goal. And there was never a better figure to embody that connection than Salah, the player fans across the world know as the Egyptian King.
Ancient Mythology Meets Modern Speed
The new F50 Elite draws heavily from ancient Egyptian symbolism, particularly the mythology surrounding pharaohs and power. A clean white base reflects royal fabrics, while metallic gold elements reference sacred treasures and sun-soaked desert horizons.
Across the boot, hieroglyphic details spell out “Mo Salah” and “Egyptian King,” wrapping the upper, heel, outsole, and insole in a repeating pattern that feels both historical and intimidating. It’s subtle from afar, striking up close, and impossible to miss once you know the story behind it.
Designed Around What Salah Does Best
Galal didn’t design this boot around aesthetics alone. The concept starts with Salah’s impact on the game itself. Defenders lose balance. Goalkeepers react too late. Records fall.
That dominance translates visually through sharp contrasts, metallic finishes, and an iridescent outsole that changes with movement and light. The boot feels alive, much like the player it was made for.
Why the Timing Matters
This release carries extra weight. Dropping just before the Africa Cup of Nations, the project aligns with one of the most emotionally charged moments in Egyptian football.
For Galal, creating a second boot for Salah ahead of AFCON isn’t just another milestone. It’s a moment that blends career growth with national pride, something few designers ever get to experience.
From Custom Piece to Global Release
Unlike Galal’s previous one-off custom boots for Salah, this F50 Elite colourway is available to the public. Fans around the world can now wear the same design Salah will step onto the AFCON pitch in, making this release as accessible as it is symbolic.
More Than a Signature Boot
As Salah leads Egypt into AFCON action, starting December 22, he’ll be wearing more than a performance boot. He’ll be carrying a visual story of heritage, ambition, and belief.
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