Adidas have turned history into footwear.
Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, the German sportswear giant has unveiled a bespoke boot collaboration for Mohamed Salah, wrapping Egypt’s past, present and ambition into a striking new design fit for the tournament’s biggest star.
The boots arrive in a crisp white base, accented by metallic gold detailing and Adidas’ iconic Three Stripes. Subtle patterns ripple across the upper, inspired by desert dunes, a quiet nod to the landscapes that shaped one of football’s oldest civilisations. The symbolism is deliberate, not loud. Regal rather than flashy.
Even the packaging carries weight.
The boots are housed in a custom box stamped: “Egyptian King – 3100 BC to Present.” A line that places Salah not just among modern greats, but within a lineage stretching back to the birth of the Egyptian state itself.
It is the latest in a series of custom creations Adidas have produced for Salah, whose global profile continues to blur the lines between footballer, cultural icon and national symbol. Unlike many player exclusives, the boots are not locked behind rarity. They are available now online and in selected Adidas stores.
The timing is no accident.
Salah heads into AFCON as Egypt’s captain, talisman and all-time leading scorer. The mission is unfinished. Three finals. Three runner-up medals. No trophy. Egypt, seven-time champions, have come close repeatedly in recent editions without lifting the crown.
Group A presents the opening chapter, with Zimbabwe first in the firing line as Salah leads his side into yet another continental campaign carrying expectation that extends far beyond football.
Back in Merseyside, Liverpool supporters have sent their wishes, fully aware that history may be in the making, even as their star man temporarily trades Anfield for the AFCON stage.
Gold on white. Pharaohs in the details. A king chasing a crown that has so far slipped away.
Adidas have done their part.
Now, Mohamed Salah writes the next chapter.
