An Egyptian artist has hit back at her critics after a sculpture she made of Mohamed Salah was widely mocked on social media.
The statue of the Liverpool star was unveiled in his home nation of Egypt during the World Youth Forum in Sharm el-Sheikh, and depicted a caricatured Salah performing his famous open-armed goal celebration.
World youth forum الآن من منتدى شباب العالم مع محمد صلااح 😍
Posted by Mai Abdallah on Saturday, November 3, 2018
The pictures soon went viral, with numerous people commenting that the statue bore closer resemblances to other famous faces, including Art Garfunkel, Leo Sayer, burglar Marv from Home Alone and even Beavis and Butthead.
Once you've seen it you can't unsee it. Mo Salah's statue is a dead ringer for Marv. pic.twitter.com/CCNyU1rEzW
— Jack (@cr0ssland) November 4, 2018
That new statue of Mo Salah looks familiar pic.twitter.com/W84D1nMZIk
— Jamés (@utdsupreme) November 4, 2018
Mo Salah Mo Salah running down the wing pic.twitter.com/CLhuyI343f
— LF (@liamfaircioud) November 4, 2018
After having to withstand the wave of mockery, Egyptian artist Mai Abdallah, who created the piece, took to Facebook, telling people “don’t worry about me”, but adding that she hoped her critics could make their points with more politeness and respect.
لما بدأت ف التمثال مكنتش عاملاه لمنتدي الشباب. ولا للمعرض. بدأته هنا معاكم. وكنت بشرح خطوه بخطوه والمراحل. ووصلنا مع…
Posted by Mai Abdallah on Sunday, November 4, 2018
Salah was nominated for the Best Fifa Men’s Player 2018 after a hugely successful first season at Anfield, and is viewed as a national hero in his native Egypt, who he helped to a first World Cup appearance since 1990.
Abdallah told Egyptian media she chose the open arm gesture because she found it “distinguished and executable”.
The sculpture inevitably earned comparisons with the infamous Cristiano Ronaldo bust installed at Madeira Airport in Portugal to much mirth online.
