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The entire Arab world was overjoyed when a 25-year Mohammad Salah became the first Egyptian Footballer to be named the Professional Footballer Association’s Player of the Year. Liverpool player Mohammad Salah is the second African Footballer to win the award after Leicester’s City Algerian midfielder Ryan Mahrez in 2016.
The Egyptian player beat likes of Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sané, and David Silva. Mohammad Salah established himself as the best player in ‘Europe’ when he topped the Premier League Top Scorer board.
Liverpool has reached the semi-final of Champion’s league before the middle of April. He now stands in the rank of ace Footballer Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Neymar. Mohammad Salah has become a worldwide sensation with his enthralling performances in league matches during his debut season with Liverpool.
Mohammad Salah began his career at hometown Mokawloon in Egypt at the age of 14. He would have to travel three-four hours each day for training for the next four years. At the age of 19, he made his debut for Egypt’s national team.
Mohammad Salah’s total goals reached 43 when he scored two goals and assisted other two in the semi-final match against Roma in Champion League’s match. Liverpool then became only the second team to score five goals in a Champions League semi-final match.
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Mohamed Salah admits there is ‘something very special about playing for Liverpool. The Champions League nights are special for the fans too,’ he said.
‘You can feel it on the streets.’
‘The atmosphere in that first game against Man City was the first time I had really seen something like that.’
He added: ‘When we saw the draw, everyone knew it would be a difficult game.
‘I knew it would be difficult but I said we had to be positive and win. That’s what we did.’
Mohammad Salah began his career at hometown Mokawloon in Egypt at the age of 14. He would have to travel three-four hours each day for training for the next four years. At the age of 19, he made his debut for Egypt’s national team.
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He was soon selected by Swiss Champion, FC Basel and moved alone without any command over English or German. In 2014, Salah traveled to London to play for Chelsea. He then played for AS Roma in Italy for the next two years. He won the best players of the year and became the top goal scorer for the season.
The Egyptian player beat likes of Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sané, and David Silva. Mohammad Salah established himself as the best player in ‘Europe’ when he topped the Premier League Top Scorer board.
In 2017, he signed Liverpool, the same year he guided Egypt to the World Cup after 28 years. Mohammad Salah’s prolific performance has made his fans sing his praises. His stardom has another aspect that holds significance in view of the image of the minority groups of blacks and Muslims. Mohammad Salah has multiple of an Arab-Muslim and African; these identities have suffered mistreatment for several years in that part of the world.
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His religion Islam makes an integral part of his identity besides his African-origin. Both his identities have been subjected to racism. African are hated as second-class citizens in the region of white supremacists while Muslims are stereotyped as extremists and terrorists.
His fierce performances have taken over his identities. The Egyptian is seen tackling racism and Islamophobia actively, for example when he scores goals, he performs sujood, the Islamic prostration performed during prayer. This is a voluntary act of devotion, thanking God for a perceived blessing.
His fans are heard singing “If he’s good enough for you, he’s good enough for me if he scores another few, then I’ll be Muslim too.” His shining performances in the league matches not only have pulled back the Liverpool in the competition but his success is giving a staunch response to right-wing politics in Europe.