An ex-pat has told how he bought a bare-footed Liverpool forward Mo Salah his first pair of football trainers - 15 years ago after he bagged seven goals in a friendly match.

Terry Thornton, 68, was left stunned by the silky skills of an 11-year-old who tore his team to pieces during a game in Egypt on a makeshift pitch.

Little did he know at the time that the wonderkid would go on to became one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League - and now reportedly earns £200k a week.

After being blown away by the barefooted Salah in 2003, Terry and his co-workers had a whip round to buy him the football trainers to prevent any injuries.

(Image: SWNS.com)

He recalls how their games in Egypt took place behind a bunch of trees in a desert area of Cairo on a pitch which had rubble strewn across it.

However, Terry, who was there setting up looms as an employee of a Bradford textile company, said they had proper nets.

Show Player

The matches would see English and German colleagues unite to play against a bunch of locals who used to turn up in a minibus.

(Image: PA)

Terry could tell there was something special about the youngster, who performed overhead kicks and volleys.

He said: "He was the best player on both teams.

"In the first game, they won 8-0. I think he got seven of them. He was doing the lot, the full Monty - overheads, volleys.

"He has more beard than he had back then, but he's still got that passion, he still plays the same."

The workers would head out to the 'pitch' every lunchtime to take a break from the factory and have a kickabout. This included around 12 matches where Salah was involved.

Terry said: "We didn't get any nearer. He stood out, his speed stood out - in other words, we couldn't catch him."

Salah is believed to have been on the books of a local club at the time.

(Image: Telegraph and Argus / SWNS.com)

Terry remembers once seeing two men arrive at dinnertime who picked up the dangerous bricks from the pitch and warned the players not to hurt Salah.

The superstar played barefooted much like his compatriots.

Salah's faith and humble character is a poignant memory that has stuck with Terry throughout his life.

"He wasn't shy, and he'd always do his prayers before and after the match," he added.

(Image: Liverpool FC)

"He was a great guy. If he walked in today he'd buy everybody something.

"They didn't have anything, that was par for the course out there. Whatever they had, they shared."

Ten years ago, after a total of 15 years in Egypt, Terry had to return England due to ill health, at a time when Salah was beginning to make waves with El Mokawloon in his home country.

He brought back with him an Egyptian wife and had twins with her who support him at the Holly Park Care Home where he now lives.

Show more

He looks back fondly on his time in Egypt and what it has brought him to this day, and he'll always remember Salah.

Terry said: "When you talk rags to riches - that is rags to riches. Barefoot Millionaire, I like that."