On form, Mohamed Salah is arguably the best player in the world at the moment. The way he’s playing, it feels inevitable that he will feature in the scoresheet somehow, irrespective of his opponents. His touches seem to get more sublime, runs crispier, and movements very nimble and astute. Currently, he seems to be on the top of every aspect of his game. Even the best of defenders are looking out of depth against him. In addition to the gift of wonderful technical abilities, his searing pace is another arrow in the bow that keeps many defenders at bay. With 11 goals and 7 assists in the Premier League and 5 goals in Champions League already this season, the Egyptian King is off the blocks briskly. He is en route to possibly something very special.
Accolades
When Liverpool signed Salah for the club-record fee of £36.9 million, many insisted the Merseyside club was destined to regret despite an impressive season he had with AS Roma (15 goals, 11 assists) and talent that he possessed in abundance. He soon shut his critics silent with an outstanding debut season. He scored 32 goals (which is the record in Premier League’s 38 game format) and providing 10 assists in just 36 matches.
Liverpool came agonizingly close to winning the Champions League that season when they fell short against Real Madrid. He had 10 goals and 4 assists in the Champions League that time. He fit like a glove right away in Liverpool’s playing pattern under Klopp. However, there were still plenty doubting him and his ability, labeling him as a one-season wonder. Yet again, he quashed those qualms, netting 22 goals and providing 8 assists in the Premier League. He won the back-to-back Premier League Golden Boot, sharing the boot with Aubameyang and his teammate Mane.
While Liverpool was gut-wrenching 1 point away from winning the much-eluded silverware in the Premier League that season, they wrote their redemption story by winning the Champions League that season. Liverpool followed that up by lifting the long-awaited Premier League Title in 2019/20. Salah featured heavily in both triumphs, with 5 goals, 2 assists in one and 19 goals, 10 assists in the other, respectively. Marred by numerous injuries, 2020/21 was a very challenging season for Liverpool, but Salah netted 28 goals and had 6 assists, and continued his merry way to help his side prevent having a horrendous season. Reds are back in contention for titles this season, led by their Egyptian talisman.
Inspiration
Salah recently became the all-time leading African scorer (108*) in the English top-flight. Following his brilliant hat-trick against Manchester United at Old Trafford last month, he surpassed Drogba (104). He is only 11 goals away from equaling Drogba’s record 44 goals in the Champions League. Drogba is an icon of football, more so in African football. So, Salah breaking those records and chartering unprecedented territories is going to make his legacy unparalleled. From humble beginnings in Egypt, a country that isn’t renowned for football, to becoming arguably the best footballer on the planet, Salah has come a long way, and his journey is one for the ages. Thus, his career and his life have been added to the national curriculum in Egypt to inspire students and upcoming generations.
Only 29, and fit as a fiddle, Salah is just entering his prime years. So, we can expect him to create and break plenty more records and collect plenty more individual and team honors. Nevertheless, what he has already achieved is exemplary, and the football fraternity should no longer sleep on him and bestow flowers to Stellar Salah.
