Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has sensationally claimed that Mohamed Salah’s illustrious tenure at the pinnacle of English football will reach its conclusion at the end of this season. Speaking on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, the former England captain suggested that the Liverpool icon has finally begun to show the physical signs of a career decline. Rooney revealed that he closely monitored the Egyptian forward during his recent stint at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where he observed a noticeable dip in the explosive attributes that once defined Salah’s world-class game.
The critique centers on the natural physiological changes that affect veteran athletes as they transition into their mid-thirties. Rooney noted that the sheer pace and sudden power that terrorized Premier League defenses for nearly a decade appear to have diminished, a transition he describes as an inevitable part of a professional’s biological cycle. Despite his critical assessment of Salah’s current form, the former Everton and United star maintained a deep respect for the winger’s unprecedented impact on the Merseyside club. He categorized Salah as one of the most prolific and influential figures to ever grace the league, even as he argued that the player’s peak performance years are now firmly in the past.
Salah’s future at Anfield remains a significant talking point heading into the summer transfer window, with interest from the Saudi Pro League expected to intensify as he enters the final stages of his career. While the Egyptian international continues to chase goalscoring records, Rooney believes the narrative is shifting toward a changing of the guard at Liverpool. The pundit emphasized that acknowledging a player’s decline does not detract from their historical legacy, but rather highlights the difficult reality that every legendary career eventually faces.
Reflecting on the Egyptian’s current trajectory, Wayne Rooney provided a candid breakdown of his observations: “His era will be over at the end of this season. I also watched his performances at the Africa Cup of Nations. His pace and explosive power are no longer what they used to be — this is no fault of his own; it is the natural cycle every player goes through. I believe his peak years will be behind him starting this summer. Everything Salah has done for the Premier League and Liverpool has been nothing short of exceptional. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in Premier League history. Unfortunately, though, there has definitely been a decline in his form.”
