Salt Bae fans shocked after hearing him speak for ‘first time’ in new year’s message

Salt Bae fans have been shocked to hear him speak for the ‘first time’ after the restauranteur shared a new year’s message on Instagram.

Watch the clip here:

While the food and drink star and his chain have been in headlines for all the wrong reasons lately, he believes he’s had a pretty good year – his ‘best’ yet, in fact.

“I hope again, more and more. 2023: our best year.

“I wish all the best. Happy New Year. I love you all. I am extremely happy because of you.

“Welcome 2023. We are ready, waiting for you.”

In the video’s caption, he added: “Thanks to you we are who we are!! Motivation organization operation 2023.”

But many people weren’t focusing on the message itself, having realised that it was the first time they’d ever actually heard him speak.

“Didn’t know you could speak,” one commented.

“Holy s**t he can talk,” another said, as a third added: “I thought that you can't speak.”

Someone else said it was the ‘first time’ they’d heard his ‘voice talking’, while another wrote: “[He] speak[s]?! Surprise for me.”

Gökçe eventually managed to get a selfie with the star footballer, posting it to Instagram. He also shared a snap of him cradling the coveted trophy, proudly flaunting himself touching an item that is supposed to be reserved for a ‘select group of people’, including winners.

As outlined on FIFA’s website, the winners’ trophy is only meant to be held by former winning athletes and heads of state.

It says: “As one of the most recognised sports symbols in the world and a priceless icon, the original FIFA World Cup Trophy can only be touched and held by a very select group of people, which includes former winners of the FIFA World Cup and heads of state.”