Mohammed Salisu: Remarkable Rise, Career and Recovery

Introdution

Mohammed Salisu is a Ghanaian professional footballer known for his strength, aerial ability and confident defending. He plays as a centre-back for AS Monaco and represents Ghana at international level.

His journey began on local football pitches in Ghana before taking him to Spain, England and France. He has played in La Liga, the Premier League, Ligue 1, the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA World Cup.

Salisu is currently recovering from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in January 2026.

Quick Bio

Detail	Information
Full name	Mohammed Salisu Abdul Karim
Known as	Mohammed Salisu
Date of birth	17 April 1999
Age	27 years old
Birthplace	Kumasi, Ghana
Nationality	Ghanaian
Profession	Professional footballer
Position	Centre-back
Preferred foot	Left
Height	1.91 metres
Current club	AS Monaco
Shirt number	22
International team	Ghana
Senior international debut	23 September 2022
AS Monaco contract	Until June 2028

Who Is Mohammed Salisu?

Mohammed Salisu Abdul Karim is a left-footed central defender who has represented Real Valladolid, Southampton and AS Monaco.

He became widely recognised during his time in the Premier League, where his tackling, interceptions and physical strength made him an important part of Southampton’s defence.

His international profile grew after he joined the Ghana national team in 2022. He later scored during Ghana’s victory over South Korea at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Salisu is part of a modern generation of Ghana players that also includes Brandon Thomas-Asante, who has built his own international career through English football.

Early Life in Ghana

Mohammed Salisu was born on 17 April 1999 in Kumasi, Ghana.

He developed an interest in football during childhood and started playing through local youth football. His early development included time with Kumasi Barcelona Babies and the West African Football Academy.

At around 13 years old, he moved from Kumasi to Accra to search for better football opportunities. His mother was initially concerned about the move, but Salisu remained focused on developing his career.

He later spent more than a year without a club. This difficult period could have stopped his progress, but he continued searching for another opportunity.

His turning point arrived when he attended a trial with African Talent Football Academy. He reportedly arrived without suitable football boots and had to borrow a pair from another player.

Spanish coach Fran Castaño quickly noticed his defensive ability, physical qualities and competitive attitude. Salisu’s performance at the trial opened the door to structured training and eventually European football.

Football Training and Move to Spain

African Talent Football Academy helped Salisu improve his fitness, defending and tactical understanding.

He trained in an environment designed to prepare talented Ghanaian players for the demands of European football. Only a few months after joining the academy, he received an opportunity to move to Spain.

Real Valladolid added him to its youth system in October 2017. Moving from Ghana to Spain required him to adapt to a new language, climate, culture and style of football.

Salisu later explained that mentality was one of the most important parts of his progress. He had to remain patient while learning how European teams trained, defended and controlled matches.

His rise was quick, but it was not easy. He moved through Valladolid’s youth team and reserve side before reaching the first-team squad.

Real Valladolid Career

Salisu made his reserve-team debut for Valladolid B in January 2018.

He gained regular senior experience in Spain’s lower divisions, where he learned how to defend against physically strong and technically skilled attackers.

His first-team debut arrived on 9 January 2019 in a Copa del Rey match against Getafe. He later made his La Liga debut against Real Betis on 18 August 2019.

The Ghanaian defender became a regular during the 2019–20 season. His calm performances, strength and ability to defend large spaces attracted attention from clubs outside Spain.

He scored his first senior Valladolid goal in a 2–0 league victory over Eibar in October 2019.

Salisu completed his Valladolid first-team period with 34 appearances, one goal and one assist across competitions. His progress showed how quickly a young defender could move from academy football to one of Europe’s leading leagues.

Southampton and Premier League Career

Southampton signed Salisu from Real Valladolid in August 2020.

The move gave him an opportunity to play in the Premier League, but physical and fitness problems delayed his first appearance.

He finally made his Southampton debut on 11 February 2021 in an FA Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Three days later, he made his Premier League debut against the same opponents.

His first league start came in a 1–1 draw with Chelsea. Salisu produced a composed performance against experienced attacking players and showed that he could handle the speed of English football.

Like Adilson Malanda, Salisu built his reputation through physical strength, calm defending and the ability to adjust to a demanding new league.

The 2021–22 season became one of his strongest periods in England. He completed 78 interceptions, the highest total recorded by any Premier League player that season. Southampton teammate Jan Bednarek finished second with 72.

Salisu also earned praise after Southampton’s 1–1 draw with Manchester City in January 2022. His blocks, tackles and defensive decisions helped Southampton stop one of the league’s strongest attacking teams.

He made 80 appearances for Southampton across all competitions, including 68 Premier League matches. He scored one goal, which came against Sheffield United in the League Cup.

Transfer to AS Monaco

Salisu joined AS Monaco on a five-year contract in August 2023. His agreement runs until June 2028.

The move allowed him to return to top-flight European football after Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League.

His first months in France were affected by physical problems. He had to complete a careful fitness programme before making his Monaco debut against Rennes in December 2023.

Monaco has also been connected with experienced defensive football figures such as Claude Makélélé, whose career became famous for discipline, positioning and protecting the defence.

Salisu made 13 appearances during his first Monaco season. His involvement increased during the following campaign as he became more comfortable with Ligue 1 and Monaco’s tactical system.

He also entered the UEFA Champions League with Monaco and scored his first goal in the competition against Dinamo Zagreb in October 2024.

Strong Form During the 2025–26 Season

The first half of the 2025–26 season included several important performances from Salisu.

In October 2025, he scored an early winning goal against Toulouse. His header arrived after only two minutes and 19 seconds, making it Monaco’s fastest goal of the season at that point.

He also made 12 clearances, completed two interceptions and helped Monaco keep a clean sheet. Supporters selected him as the club’s match MVP with more than 86 per cent of the vote.

In December 2025, Salisu was included in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Week after Monaco defeated Galatasaray.

He was asked to defend against Victor Osimhen and helped limit the striker’s attacking influence. Salisu recorded eight clearances, won five of eight duels and completed his tackle.

Before his injury, he had played 18 matches during the season and started each of them. He contributed one goal while remaining an important part of Monaco’s central defence.

Ghana International Career

Salisu made his senior Ghana debut against Brazil on 23 September 2022.

He entered the match as a substitute during the second half. Although Ghana lost 3–0, the appearance ended a long period of discussion about when he would begin his international career.

His first Ghana goal came against Switzerland on 17 November 2022. Salisu opened the scoring with a header as the Black Stars earned a 2–0 victory.

He was then selected for Ghana’s squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Salisu started all three of Ghana’s group matches. His biggest moment came against South Korea, when he scored the opening goal in Ghana’s dramatic 3–2 victory.

The goal established him as one of the few Ghanaian defenders to score at a World Cup.

He later represented Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations and played an important role in the country’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Salisu appeared in eight qualifiers and scored twice as Ghana secured a place at the tournament. Monaco confirmed that Ghana finished first in its qualifying group with eight victories, one draw and one defeat.

Playing Position and Defensive Style

Mohammed Salisu mainly plays as a centre-back.

He is most comfortable on the left side of central defence because he is naturally left-footed. He can operate in a traditional back four or as part of a three-man defence.

His height and strength help him compete for headers, clear crosses and defend set pieces.

Salisu also likes to move forward and challenge attackers before they can turn towards goal. This front-foot approach explains why he recorded such a high number of interceptions during his Southampton career.

His ability to use his left foot gives his team another passing option when building attacks from defence. Similar qualities can be seen in defenders such as Luca Ranieri, who is also comfortable playing on the left side of central defence.

Salisu is not only a physical defender. His strongest performances show good concentration, timing and awareness of danger.

The same mix of defensive intelligence and left-footed distribution is important for modern players such as Olivier Boscagli, although every defender uses these qualities differently.

ACL Injury and Recovery

Salisu suffered the most serious injury of his career during Monaco’s Ligue 1 match against Olympique Lyonnais in January 2026.

Medical examinations confirmed that he had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

He later underwent successful surgery in France. The Ghana Football Association confirmed his operation and reported that Ghana coach Otto Addo visited him during the early stage of his recovery.

The injury ended his 2025–26 season and prevented him from joining Ghana’s final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In May 2026, Monaco published photographs of Salisu returning to individual exercises with a football. Touching the ball again represented an important step, but the club had not announced a date for his competitive return by 4 July 2026.

ACL rehabilitation usually requires controlled stages involving knee movement, strength, running, ball work and full team training. His return will depend on medical approval and his response to each stage.

Personality and Work Ethic

Public interviews present Salisu as a quiet and focused person away from matches.

Fran Castaño, who helped identify him in Ghana, described him as shy off the pitch but aggressive, competitive and capable of showing leadership during games.

Salisu has repeatedly spoken about discipline and hard work. During the 2025–26 season, he explained that he earned his starting position by continuing to work and improve in training.

He has also spoken about making his family proud. That promise became an important source of motivation when he left Ghana for Spain.

His childhood football idol was Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazário. Although Salisu became a defender, he admired Ronaldo’s skill and ability to carry responsibility for his team.

Family Background

Salisu’s family supported his football ambitions despite the uncertainty of his early journey.

His mother was concerned when he moved from Kumasi to Accra as a teenager, but the decision eventually helped him find stronger football opportunities.

He also has a younger brother involved in football. Salisu said his brother trained at the same academy in Ghana and played as a left-footed central defender.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Salisu’s club record before his January 2026 injury included:

Club	Period	All-competition appearances	Goals
Real Valladolid	2019–2020	34	1
Southampton	2020–2023	80	1
AS Monaco	2023–2026	55	4

His major career moments include:

• Scoring for Ghana at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
• Recording the most Premier League interceptions in 2021–22
• Playing in La Liga, the Premier League and Ligue 1
• Making his UEFA Champions League debut with Monaco
• Scoring his first Champions League goal against Dinamo Zagreb
• Winning Monaco’s supporter-voted MVP award against Toulouse
• Reaching the Champions League Team of the Week in December 2025
• Helping Ghana qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Mohammed Salisu Career Timeline

Year	Career event
1999	Born in Kumasi, Ghana
2017	Joined African Talent and moved to Real Valladolid
2018	Made his Valladolid B debut
2019	Made his Valladolid first-team and La Liga debuts
2020	Joined Southampton
2021	Made his Premier League debut
2022	Became a Ghana international
2022	Scored against South Korea at the FIFA World Cup
2023	Signed for AS Monaco
2024	Made his UEFA Champions League debut
2025	Helped Ghana qualify for the 2026 World Cup
2025	Entered the Champions League Team of the Week
2026	Suffered a left-knee ACL injury
May 2026	Returned to individual ball exercises

Interesting Facts

• His complete name is Mohammed Salisu Abdul Karim.
• He moved from Kumasi to Accra at around 13 years old.
• He borrowed football boots for an important academy trial.
• He moved to Spain only months after joining African Talent.
• He is naturally left-footed.
• He scored at his first FIFA World Cup.
• He recorded 78 Premier League interceptions in one season.
• His childhood idol was Ronaldo Nazário.
• His Monaco contract runs until June 2028.
• He wears the number 22 shirt for Monaco.

Current Status

As of 4 July 2026, Mohammed Salisu remains under contract with AS Monaco.

He is recovering from the ACL injury and surgery that ended his 2025–26 season. His return to individual ball exercises in May showed progress, but he had not yet returned to competitive football.

His recovery will be important for both Monaco and Ghana. When fully fit, he provides physical strength, left-footed balance, aerial defending and valuable international experience.

Conclusion

Mohammed Salisu’s journey shows determination, patience and strong mental character.

He moved from local football in Ghana to Real Valladolid, established himself in the Premier League with Southampton and later entered Ligue 1 and the Champions League with Monaco.

His World Cup goal, defensive statistics and important Monaco performances have already created memorable career moments.

The ACL injury is a major setback, but his return to ball work offers encouragement. His next challenge is to complete rehabilitation safely and rebuild the fitness needed to compete at the highest level again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mohammed Salisu’s full name?

His full name is Mohammed Salisu Abdul Karim.

How old is he?

He is 27 years old as of July 2026.

When was he born?

He was born on 17 April 1999.

Where was he born?

He was born in Kumasi, Ghana.

What is his nationality?

He is Ghanaian.

How tall is he?

AS Monaco lists him at 1.91 metres, or approximately 6 feet 3 inches.

What position does he play?

He plays mainly as a centre-back.

Which club does he play for?

He remains an AS Monaco player under a contract running until June 2028.

What happened to his knee?

He ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a Ligue 1 match in January 2026.

Did he play at the 2026 World Cup?

No. The ACL injury prevented him from joining Ghana’s final tournament squad.

Did he score at the FIFA World Cup?

Yes. He scored against South Korea during Ghana’s 3–2 victory at the 2022 World Cup.

Which clubs has he represented?

He has played senior first-team football for Real Valladolid, Southampton and AS Monaco.