Chechnya leader Ramzan Kadyrov has made Egypt's star striker Mohamed Salah an honorary citizen of the southern Russian region at a farewell banquet held after his team crashed out of the 2018 World Cup.
Kadyrov wrote on Telegram that he had presented the 26-year-old Liverpool star with the honorary title while hosting a dinner for the Egypt team, whose World Cup training base is in the Chechen capital Grozny.
"Mohamed Salah is an honorary citizen of Chechnya! That's right!" Kadyrov wrote late Friday.
"Tonight I signed a decree to grant the high honor to the great footballer who plays for Egypt and Liverpool."
Salah was presented with a badge and a copy of the decree at the dinner, Kadyrov said. “This is a well-deserved honor!"
He said Salah had praised the "wonderfully warm and good welcome" the team received in Grozny.
Kadyrov is known as an ardent football fan.
Egypt crashed out of the World Cup after losing to Russia 3-1 on Tuesday, with Salah returning to action for the first time in three weeks following a shoulder injury but unable to save his team. The Egyptians play their final match against Saudi Arabia on Monday.
Meanwhile, Salah has denied rumors he intended to quit Egypt's World Cup camp early and return to Liverpool following his side's early exit from the tournament.
He took to Twitter to voice his commitment to the Egyptian national team.
