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Mohamed Salah​:​ Inching Closer to Ballon d’Or Not since George OpongÂ
Weah and perhaps Samuel Eto’O, has an African player been so celebrated the way Mohamed Salah is, from winning the African Footballer of the Year to being voted the PFA Player of the Year. He has also been named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year. Currently, only mercurial Argentine superstar, Lionel Messi is ahead of him in the race for the European Golden Shoe. In this report, Kunle Adewale writes on the probability of another African winning FIFA most prized award for an individual
In 1995, an African footballer, George Weah, achieved the unthinkable when he was voted the best footballer on the planet and since then European and South American players have shared the accolades amongst themselves. The closest by another African to winning the award was when Cameroon golden boy, Samuel Eto’O Phil, came third in 2005-a decade after Weah’s feat.
However, all that may change if Liverpool’s talisman, Mohamed Salah, could lead the Reds to a UEFA Champions League glory and also propel the Pharaohs to a respectable showing at the 2018 World Cup in Russia this summer.
With 31 league goals so far this season and three matches to go, the Egyptian looks good to cart away the Premier League Golden Boot and only Lionel Messi is ahead of him for the prize in Europe.
Earlier in January, the prolific Liverpool scorer was named African Player of the Year, becoming the first Egyptian to win the award since Mahmoud al Khatib in 1983. The 25-year-old starred for resurgent Egypt, who last year finished runners-up to Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations and secured a first World Cup appearance since 1990.
In the penultimate round of World Cup qualifying, Salah scored the brace that edged Congo Brazzaville in Alexandria, including the stoppage-time winner from a penalty that sealed a trip to Russia.
“Winning this award is a dream come true. 2017 was an unbelievable year for me I had a fantastic time with the national team. This is a big award for me, a special moment in my career. I would like to dedicate it to all the kids in Africa and Egypt. I want to tell them to never stop dreaming, never stop believing,†he said after emerging Africa’s best.
The victory completed an awards hat-trick for Salah, who was named BBC African Footballer of the Year in December and Arab Player of the Year earlier.
In the penultimate round of World Cup qualifying, Salah scored the brace that edged Congo Brazzaville in Alexandria, including the stoppage-time winner from a penalty that sealed a trip to Russia.
“Winning this award is a dream come true. 2017 was an unbelievable year for me I had a fantastic time with the national team. This is a big award for me, a special moment in my career. I would like to dedicate it to all the kids in Africa and Egypt. I want to tell them to never stop dreaming, never stop believing,†he said after emerging Africa’s best.
The victory completed an awards hat-trick for Salah, who was named BBC African Footballer of the Year in December and Arab Player of the Year earlier.
Salah has since been named the 2018 PFA Player of the Year in a remarkable season that already has seen him set a number of records in his first year with the club.
Salah held off Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, considered his top challenger, and Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane to claim the honour at the 45th PFA Awards at Grosvenor House in central London on Sunday evening, which is given by Premier League players.
“It’s a big honour. I’ve worked hard and I’m very happy to win it,” Salah said at the ceremony.
Asked what it meant to become the first Egyptian to win the award, he said: “Hopefully I’m not the last one! I’m very proud to win and I’ve worked very hard.”
Salah held off Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, considered his top challenger, and Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane to claim the honour at the 45th PFA Awards at Grosvenor House in central London on Sunday evening, which is given by Premier League players.
“It’s a big honour. I’ve worked hard and I’m very happy to win it,” Salah said at the ceremony.
Asked what it meant to become the first Egyptian to win the award, he said: “Hopefully I’m not the last one! I’m very proud to win and I’ve worked very hard.”
The forward has three Premier League games remaining and could match Andy Cole’s record of 34 goals in a 42-game season set in 1993-94.
“To break the Premier League record is something huge in England and all over in the world.There are still three games to go. I want to break this record and also break the one for 42-game season. Let’s see what will happen,” he said.
Salah, who moved from Roma in July, became the first player to be named the Premier League Player of the Month three times in one season.
With 41 goals in all competitions this season, he became the first Liverpool player since Ian Rush in 1986-87 to reach the 40-goal mark.
Not done yet, Salah was Tuesday named as the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year. The Egypt international narrowly topped the poll of the 400-strong FWA membership ahead of Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, the margin understood to be less than 20 votes. Tottenham striker Harry Kane was third.
“To break the Premier League record is something huge in England and all over in the world.There are still three games to go. I want to break this record and also break the one for 42-game season. Let’s see what will happen,” he said.
Salah, who moved from Roma in July, became the first player to be named the Premier League Player of the Month three times in one season.
With 41 goals in all competitions this season, he became the first Liverpool player since Ian Rush in 1986-87 to reach the 40-goal mark.
Not done yet, Salah was Tuesday named as the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year. The Egypt international narrowly topped the poll of the 400-strong FWA membership ahead of Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, the margin understood to be less than 20 votes. Tottenham striker Harry Kane was third.
The 25-year-old becomes the first African winner of the FWA accolade, which has been awarded since 1948.
FWA chairman Patrick Barclay described the battle between the two as “the toughest call since 1968-69”, when there was a dead heat between Tony Book of Manchester City and Derby’s Dave Mackay.
“Right up to the last week or so we thought it might happen again, so strong was the support for Kevin de Bruyne,” said Barclay.
“But Mo Salah’s relentless match-winning form, exemplified by his two great goals against Roma, seems to have swung the vote by a very narrow margin.”
Sent packing by Chelsea in 2015 – first on loan to Roma before joining the Italian club permanently last year – the 25-year-old has returned to England a completely different player.
FWA chairman Patrick Barclay described the battle between the two as “the toughest call since 1968-69”, when there was a dead heat between Tony Book of Manchester City and Derby’s Dave Mackay.
“Right up to the last week or so we thought it might happen again, so strong was the support for Kevin de Bruyne,” said Barclay.
“But Mo Salah’s relentless match-winning form, exemplified by his two great goals against Roma, seems to have swung the vote by a very narrow margin.”
Sent packing by Chelsea in 2015 – first on loan to Roma before joining the Italian club permanently last year – the 25-year-old has returned to England a completely different player.
Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp, said: “He has the perfect mix of experience and potential – this is a really exciting signing for us. I have followed him since he emerged at Basel and he has matured into a really good player. His pace is incredible, he gives us more attacking threat and we are already strong in this area. I like that we will make it even more competitive.”
The Egyptian said he has become a better player since his time at Chelsea.
“Everything has improved. Even my personality was different, I was a kid – I was 20 or 21. Now I’m four years older, everything is different. I have lots of experience in three clubs: I was at Chelsea, then Fiorentina and then Roma. I have good experience,” he said.
“Everything has improved. Even my personality was different, I was a kid – I was 20 or 21. Now I’m four years older, everything is different. I have lots of experience in three clubs: I was at Chelsea, then Fiorentina and then Roma. I have good experience,” he said.
