Champions League final: Here’s what motivates Salah against Real Madrid

Players are motivated by a number of things. For Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah, revenge is what motivates him against Real Madrid in Saturday’s UCL final. 

Mohamed Salah can create goals and score them. He’s got lots of talent, making him Liverpool’s offensive lynchpin and one of the best players in the world at the moment.

He’s also hellbent on getting revenge come Saturday at the Stade de France in suburban Paris against Real Madrid in the much-anticipated Champions League final.

Revenge because the English club lost the UCL final in 2018 in Kyiv to Real Madrid, a game that remains on Salah’s mind. It’s what motivates the Egyptian playmaker heading into the match.

One of the keys to Real’s victory came in the first half when Salah got into a skirmish with Real defender Sergio Ramos, falling to the turf and dislocating his left shoulder. Salah left the field in tears and watched the remainder of the match on a TV mounted in the dressing room as Gareth Bale scored a brace and Real Madrid won 3-1.

After Real Madrid reached the final, Salah took to Twitter with the message, “We have a score to settle.”

Champions League: Mohamed Salah wants revenge for Liverpool

This could also be Salah’s final game for Liverpool. His contract expires this summer, meaning the club will need to make him a new offer.

“In my mind, I don’t focus on the contract at the moment,” Salah told reporters on Wednesday. “I don’t want to be selfish.”

Salah helped Liverpool to the Champions League in 2019 – but the defeat to Real Madrid still stings.

“I remember when I left the field after 30 minutes of that game it was the worst moment of my career,” Salah recalled. “I was really down. I had a good season and then to play my first Champions League final and come off so soon was the worst thing that could happen to me.”

Salah ended the Premier League season as top scorer, the third time in his five years at Liverpool. He shared the title this season alongside Tottenham’s Son Heung-min with 23 goals. Salah also led the league with the most assists with 13.

A win Saturday would deliver Liverpool the title, but also likely make Salah a contender for the Ballon d’Or, awarded annually to the best player in Europe. It’s the type of revenge Salah is looking for to end the season.