In the glittering halls of Manchester’s prestigious award ceremony venue, history was made on Tuesday evening as Mohamed Salah became the first player in Premier League history to claim the Men’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year award for an unprecedented third time. The Liverpool forward’s latest triumph caps off what many consider to be the finest individual season of his already illustrious career, cementing his status as one of the greatest players to grace English football.
The 2024-25 campaign will be remembered as the season when Mohamed Salah transcended from being merely an exceptional player to achieving legendary status at Liverpool Football Club. His remarkable statistics tell only part of the story: 34 goals and 23 assists across 52 appearances represent numbers that would be extraordinary for any player, but for Salah, they mark a new pinnacle in his relentless pursuit of excellence.
These figures didn’t emerge from nowhere. They were the product of a player who, at 33 years of age, continues to redefine what’s possible in modern football. While many players of his age begin to show signs of decline, Salah has somehow managed to elevate his game to new heights, combining the wisdom of experience with the hunger of youth.
The Egyptian international’s goal tally of 34 placed him among the Premier League’s most prolific scorers in a single season, while his 23 assists demonstrated his evolution from a pure goalscorer to a complete attacking threat capable of creating as many opportunities as he converts. This dual threat made him virtually unstoppable throughout the campaign, with opposition managers finding it impossible to devise defensive strategies that could contain his multifaceted contributions
Salah’s third PFA Players’ Player of the Year award represents more than just individual recognition; it’s a testament to sustained excellence that has never been achieved before in the Premier League era. Previous winners of multiple awards include Thierry Henry, who claimed the honor twice, and Gareth Bale, who also won it twice during his time at Tottenham Hotspur. However, no player had ever managed to secure the award three times until Salah’s historic achievement.
This latest accolade adds to his previous wins in 2017-18 and 2021-22, creating a triumphant trilogy that spans seven years of Premier League dominance. The gap between his second and third awards demonstrates not just longevity but also his ability to reinvent himself and maintain peak performance levels across different phases of his career.
Related Posts:
The significance of this achievement extends beyond personal glory. The PFA Players’ Player of the Year award is voted for by fellow professionals – the very individuals who face Salah on the pitch week in and week out. Their recognition carries a weight that transcends statistics, representing acknowledgment from peers who understand the demands and pressures of elite football better than anyone else.
Salah’s individual success was inextricably linked to Liverpool’s collective achievement of securing their second Premier League title. The Egyptian’s contributions were pivotal in what proved to be a masterclass season under the guidance of manager Arne Slot, who had taken over from Jürgen Klopp with the enormous responsibility of maintaining the club’s winning culture.
The partnership between Salah and Slot proved to be one of the season’s most compelling narratives. When the new manager arrived at Anfield, there were questions about how he would integrate with established stars like Salah. However, their relationship flourished from the outset, with Salah making a bold promise to his new boss: he would deliver another Premier League title.
“I told the manager that because I believe what I can give him and what I can give the club,” Salah reflected on that pivotal conversation. “He said, ‘OK, well I’ll put you in situations [where] you can provide numbers.’ I did that very well.”
This mutual understanding and trust became the foundation for one of the most productive player-manager relationships in recent Premier League history. Slot’s tactical acumen perfectly complemented Salah’s natural instincts, creating opportunities that maximized the forward’s impact while also enhancing the team’s overall performance.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Salah’s continued success is his unwavering hunger for achievement. At an age when many players begin to contemplate retirement or seek less demanding leagues, Salah has somehow managed to increase his appetite for success rather than diminish it.
“Honestly, I found always a way to feel hungry and just need more,” Salah explained when asked about his motivation. “This season we have new players, so you also need to give them your experience and try to help them also to grow – that’s part of being a footballer. It’s always the hunger that really makes me want more.”
This hunger manifests itself in multiple ways. On an individual level, it drives him to maintain the physical condition and technical sharpness required to compete at the highest level. His training regimen remains as intense as ever, with teammates and coaching staff regularly commenting on his dedication to preparation and recovery.
Beyond personal excellence, Salah’s hunger extends to his role as a mentor and leader within the squad. The arrival of new players at Liverpool created an opportunity for him to share his wealth of experience while simultaneously pushing himself to set an example worthy of emulation. This dual responsibility – being both a leader and a performer – adds layers of complexity to his role that he has embraced with characteristic determination.
Reflecting on his remarkable journey, Salah displayed the humility that has endeared him to fans worldwide. When asked whether he could have envisioned such success during his youth in Egypt, his response was refreshingly honest and deeply personal.
“No! I don’t want to lie,” he admitted. “Of course I want to be a football player, I just want to be famous and can provide for my family. But you don’t think about that big stuff when you are in Egypt or you are still so small. But then when you grow and start to see things different and you start to have ambition then you start to see the bigger picture.”
This candid reflection provides insight into the mindset that has driven Salah’s remarkable career trajectory. His initial aspirations were modest – to achieve fame and financial security for his family – goals that reflect the practical realities faced by many young athletes from developing nations. However, as his career progressed and his horizons expanded, so too did his ambitions.
The transformation from a young Egyptian dreamer to a Premier League legend represents more than just personal growth; it symbolizes the power of ambition married to talent and opportunity. Salah’s journey has inspired countless young players across Africa and the Middle East, demonstrating that geographical origins need not limit ultimate achievements.
The symbiotic relationship between Mohamed Salah and Liverpool Football Club has become one of the most successful partnerships in modern football. Since his arrival from AS Roma in 2017, Salah has not merely joined Liverpool; he has become synonymous with the club’s identity and success.
“I think we’ve been very, very good to each other,” Salah observed, summarizing seven years of mutual benefit and achievement. This understated assessment masks the profound impact both parties have had on each other’s fortunes.
For Liverpool, Salah’s arrival marked the beginning of a golden era that has included Premier League titles, a Champions League triumph, and numerous other honors. His goals have decided crucial matches, his performances have elevated teammates, and his presence has attracted other world-class players to Anfield.
Conversely, Liverpool has provided Salah with the perfect platform to showcase his talents. The club’s attacking philosophy, world-class teammates, and passionate fanbase have created an environment where his abilities could flourish. The tactical systems employed by successive managers have maximized his impact while the club’s global profile has amplified his influence beyond the pitch.
No discussion of Salah’s Liverpool career would be complete without acknowledging the unique relationship he enjoys with the club’s supporters. Anfield has become more than just a stadium for the Egyptian; it has become a spiritual home where his talents are appreciated, his efforts are celebrated, and his status as a club legend is unquestioned.
“Absolutely incredible. Anfield is incredible, it feels home always,” Salah said when asked about playing in front of Liverpool supporters. “With the teammates and the staff, everybody helped me. My team, my family, everybody helped me to achieve. I would not be able to do it [without them], so I want to have the chance to tell them thank you very much for making that happen.”
The connection between Salah and the Liverpool faithful transcends the typical player-fan relationship. His name is sung from the Kop with reverence typically reserved for the club’s greatest legends. His image adorns scarves, shirts, and banners throughout the stadium. His goals are celebrated with an intensity that reflects the deep affection supporters feel for their Egyptian King.
This relationship has been mutually beneficial. The supporters’ unwavering backing has provided Salah with the confidence to express himself freely on the pitch, while his performances have given them countless moments of joy and pride. The synergy between player and fanbase has created an atmosphere at Anfield that visiting teams find intimidating and Liverpool players find inspiring.
At 33, an age when many footballers begin planning their retirement, Mohamed Salah is making plans for continued success. His recent contract extension, securing his services at Liverpool for another two years, represents a statement of intent from both player and club.
“I’m still very hungry – that’s why I signed for Liverpool [for] another two years,” Salah explained. “It’s great to play in the Premier League at that level. Also with my age, 33, you feel that you can give more and you can really make the difference always in each game.”
This perspective challenges conventional wisdom about aging athletes. Rather than viewing his advancing years as a limitation, Salah sees them as an asset. The experience he has accumulated, the understanding of his body’s needs, and the tactical intelligence he has developed all contribute to making him a more complete player than ever before.
The decision to extend his Liverpool contract was about more than just personal ambition; it reflected his belief that the club remains the ideal environment for achieving his goals. With new players arriving and tactical systems evolving, Salah sees opportunities to reach new heights rather than reasons to wind down his career.
Mohamed Salah’s influence extends far beyond the boundaries of football pitches and trophy cabinets. His success has made him a global icon, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, where he is viewed as a trailblazer who has opened doors for future generations of players.
His charitable work in Egypt, his role as a cultural ambassador, and his representation of positive values have elevated his status from sports star to global influence. Young players across the Arab world now dare to dream of following in his footsteps, knowing that excellence can emerge from any corner of the world.
The PFA award ceremony in Manchester was attended by representatives from across the football world, but for many viewers in Egypt and beyond, Salah’s triumph represented something more significant than individual achievement. It was validation of their own potential and proof that barriers can be broken through talent, dedication, and unwavering belief
While Salah’s individual triumph dominated headlines, Liverpool’s collective excellence was also recognized through the inclusion of five players in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. This representation reflects the balanced nature of their title-winning campaign, where individual brilliance combined with team cohesion to create a formidable force.
The multiple selections demonstrate that while Salah may be the most celebrated Liverpool player, their success was built on contributions across the squad. Defenders, midfielders, and forwards all played crucial roles in securing the Premier League title, creating a foundation that allowed star players like Salah to flourish.
This team recognition also validates the tactical approach employed by Arne Slot, whose system maximized the potential of multiple players rather than relying solely on individual brilliance. The fact that Liverpool dominated the Team of the Year selections suggests a level of collective performance that few teams achieve.
To fully appreciate Salah’s third PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, it’s essential to consider the historical context of this achievement. The Premier League has featured numerous world-class players since its inception in 1992, yet none had managed to claim this particular honor three times.
Players like Alan Shearer, Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all left indelible marks on English football, but even these legends never achieved what Salah has now accomplished. This places the Egyptian in rarefied air, among the very greatest players to have graced the Premier League.
The longevity required to win this award three times cannot be overstated. It requires not just initial brilliance but sustained excellence across multiple seasons, the ability to adapt to changing tactical trends, and the mental fortitude to maintain peak performance levels despite increasing expectations and scrutiny.
As Mohamed Salah stood on the stage in Manchester, holding aloft his third PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, he was not just celebrating another individual accolade. He was cementing a legacy that will endure long after his playing days are over.
“It’s something that’s never happened in the Premier League, it’s something I will never forget and I will never take it for granted,” Salah reflected on his historic achievement. These words capture the appropriate reverence for an accomplishment that may never be repeated.
The 2024-25 season may have concluded with Liverpool celebrating another Premier League title, but for Mohamed Salah, it represents another chapter in an extraordinary story that continues to unfold. With two more years secured at Anfield and the hunger for success burning as brightly as ever, there may yet be more history to be written.
For now, though, football fans around the world can appreciate witnessing something truly special: a player who has not only reached the summit of his profession but has remained there longer than anyone thought possible. In an era where football careers are increasingly short and peak performance windows are narrowing, Mohamed Salah stands as a testament to what can be achieved through talent, dedication, and an unquenchable thirst for excellence.
The Egyptian King’s reign continues, and his subjects at Anfield and beyond eagerly await the next chapter in this remarkable story.
