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Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt's Mo Salah reflects on career highlights, icons in Ballon d'Or interview - Talents Abroad
Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah offered rare insight into his footballing inspirations and career milestones during a rapid-fire interview published Friday by the official Ballon d'Or X account. In the light-hearted exchange, Salah was asked to name the greatest African player in history. With a laugh, he replied, 'Me,' before adding, 'There are so many. I would say George Weah also. Didier [Drogba], Eto'o, and George Weah.' Now 32, Salah has been a talismanic figure at Liverpool since joining from AS Roma in 2017. Widely considered one of the Premier League's all-time greats, he has scored over 245 goals and provided 113 assists in 401 appearances for the Reds. Is Mohamed Salah the greatest African player in history? 👑 We challenged the Egypt and Liverpool star with rapid questions — no time to think, just speak. ⚡ Stay until the end — a few of his answers might surprise you.#ballondor #salah #rapidquestions — Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) July 18, 2025 His silverware haul with the club includes two Premier League titles (2019–20, 2024–25), the UEFA Champions League (2018–19), the FA Cup, the League Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. Salah is also the Premier League's all-time highest-scoring African player, having surpassed Drogba's record of 104 goals. He has won the Premier League Golden Boot four times (2017–18, 2018–19, 2021–22, 2024–25) and was recently named Premier League Player of the Season for a second time, becoming only the fifth player to earn the honour more than once. Asked which player he most enjoyed playing with, Salah said: 'I didn't play with him in my peak, but I would say [Eden] Hazard.' As for players he wished he had played alongside, he named Steven Gerrard and Thierry Henry. His favourite coach? Luciano Spalletti, his former manager at Roma. When asked about his favourite goal, Salah struggled to choose: 'Man City home… or Man City also Champions League.' Despite a career of dizzying highs, Salah insisted he has no regrets: 'Oh, biggest regret? No, I don't have one. It is what it is. You take it and you learn.' Asked to name the toughest defender he had faced, Salah said: 'There are too many. I can't name one. Even Ramos? He's a very good player. But there are too many.' As for the trophy that meant the most to him, he didn't hesitate: the Champions League. Salah's reflections — at once candid and humble — reaffirm his legacy not just as one of Africa's greatest footballers, but as a global icon whose passion for the game continues to inspire. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Scottish Sun
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Spain 5 France 4: Lamine Yamal stakes Ballon d'Or claim to set up Ronaldo clash as Spaniards see off epic late fightback
It sets up a first-time meeting with Yamal and Ronaldo Ballon score Spain 5 France 4: Lamine Yamal stakes Ballon d'Or claim to set up Ronaldo clash as Spaniards see off epic late fightback LAMINE YAMAL won the Battle of the Ballon d'Or as Spain sneaked into the Nations League final after a nine-goal thriller against France. All eyes in Stuttgart were on the mouthwatering duel between La Roja sensation Yamal, 17, and Les Bleus star Ousmane Dembele, 28. Advertisement 5 Lamine Yamal won the battle of the Ballon d'Or Credit: Getty 5 Spain survived a late comeback against France to get into their third Uefa Nations League final in a row Credit: EPA 5 Ousmane Dembele blanked on a potentially crucial night for Ballon d'Or judgement Credit: AFP 5 The win sets up a final clash with Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Both are in with a shout of winning the Ballon d'Or in three months' time with 51 club goals in all competitions between them for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain this term. Yet it was the Barca teenage superstar who grabbed the headlines with a stunning second-half double – now with 48 goal contributions in 57 games for club and country this campaign – alongside impressive strikes from Nico Williams, Mikel Merino and Pedri. Kylian Mbappe netted a 59th-minute spot-kick and a late comeback looked on the cards thanks to debutant Rayan Cherki's 79th-minute attempt, an 84th-minute Daniel Vivian own goal and Randal Kolo Muani's injury-time header. But Spain held on, facing Portugal in Munich on Sunday – their third Nations League final on the spin - and sets up a clash between Yamal and Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Post-it notes Cost of sacking Postecoglou revealed with Spurs forced to pay out millions It also extends their unbeaten competitive run to 24 games, last losing in March 2023 – their longest streak for 15 years, back when they were world champions. Reigning European champions France meanwhile, were woeful, despite a fine attacking quartet of PSG Champions League-winning pair Dembele and Desire Doue alongside Real Madrid's Mbappe and Bayern Munich's Michael Olise. Both Yamal and Dembele were lively early on before Williams stung the roof of the net in the 22nd minute from a cute pass by Mikel Oyarzabal. Three minutes later, Oyarzabal was at the heart of things again as a one-two put Arsenal's Merino through and he slotted past Chelsea target Mike Maignan. Advertisement BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK It could have been 3-0 before the break but for Dean Huijsen's volley being ruled out for offside. Yamal added the third in the 54th minute, hauled down by Adrien Rabiot in the box. I sold Lamine Yamal trading card for life changing amount - my wife doesn't think it's a silly hobby now Another Barca starlet Pedri, 22, made it four less than a minute later with a dink over Maignan as Didier Deschamps' men crumbled. Advertisement Mbappe converted from the spot in the 59th minute following a tangle with Tottenham's Pedro Porro, but it was short-lived thanks to a world-class finish from a tight angle by Yamal in the 67th minute – his sixth goal in 20 Spain caps.
