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Egyptian football star Mo Salah’s boots head for the British Museum

The acquisition brings the museum’s world-famous Egyptian collection ‘right up to date’.
The acquisition brings the museum’s world-famous Egyptian collection ‘right up to date’. The acquisition brings the museum’s world-famous Egyptian collection ‘right up to date’.

Egyptian football star Mo Salah’s boots will be displayed “amidst the statues of ancient pharaohs” at the Egyptian collection in the world-famous British Museum.

The adidas X17 Deadly Strike boots have been donated to the museum to celebrate the Liverpool star winning the Golden Boot for being the top goalscorer in the Premier League this season.

Neal Spencer, the museum’s keeper of ancient Egypt and Sudan, said in a statement: “This acquisition brings the British Museum’s world-famous Egyptian collection right up to date.

“The boots tell a story of a modern Egyptian icon, performing in the UK, with a truly global impact.”

Mo Salah's boots (British Museum)
Mo Salah's boots (British Museum) Mo Salah’s boots (British Museum)

He added: “Displayed amidst the statues of ancient pharaohs, we now show the boots with which Mo Salah won the Golden Boot for Liverpool.”

The boots have been donated by adidas.

Spencer said: “Salah will shortly lead his national team, known as The Pharaohs, to the World Cup finals.

“This acquisition builds on our recent project to acquire objects to tell the story of day-to-day life in 20th and 21st century Egypt.

“From sport, to entertainment, worldwide trade to design, this collection is now accessible to all – like those from other periods of Egypt’s rich history.”

Mo Salah helped lead Egypt to this year's World Cup finals (Steven Paston/PA)
Mo Salah helped lead Egypt to this year's World Cup finals (Steven Paston/PA) Mo Salah helped lead Egypt to this year’s World Cup finals (Steven Paston/PA) (Steven Paston/PA Wire/PA Images)

Salah, who is left-footed, achieved national treasure status in his home country of Egypt by securing their qualification to this year’s Fifa World Cup 2018.

The boots will go on display in gallery 61 in the London museum next week in the run-up to the Champions League final.

They will be displayed next to footwear from ancient Egypt and adjacent to a selection of gold pharaonic jewellery.

Salah was the top goalscorer in the Premier League this season, with 32 goals.

The British Museum launched its Modern Egypt project to bolster its collection of contemporary material from modern Egypt in 2016.