If you would have told me at the start of the season that Mohamed Salah would win the PFA Player of the Year award, I would’ve asked who you were and why you were talking to me.
Once we’d gotten the formalities out the way, I wouldn’t have believed you.
Most of us knew the Egyptian was a talented player and thought he would do well at Liverpool, but his debut campaign has surpassed even the most optimistic Scouser’s pre-season predictions. Mo has 42 goals and counting, came second in the Egyptian presidential elections and may yet lead Liverpool to a 6th European Cup.
All this whilst effortlessly maintaining a flawless beard/afro combo.
To top it all off, he was voted the best player in the country by his peers, seeing off competition from Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Marc Albrighton to name a few.
If there’s one thing we’ve learnt from the Egyptian King’s incredible success in recent times, it’s that he doesn’t half love getting an award.
Look at his cute hairy grin.
Even when he does manage to mildly disguise his glee, the picture of his face that he is holding gives it away.
And who can blame him? Awards are great. I challenge anyone to not smile when given a shiny piece of metal for being the best. Go and try it now. Grab a colander or cheese grater from the kitchen and present it to a friend or relative. It will make their day.
Football needs more awards. I want to see more players joyously posing with oddly shaped trophies. Let’s have Salah battle it out with Marouane Fellaini and Leroy Sané for the title of Premier League’s best Afro. Let’s start a throw-in of the month competition. Or why not let Stephen and Joel fight it out for the best Ward-Award?
Longest toenails, smelliest shin pads, the potential is limitless. Not only would it give these millionaire footballers a much-needed self-esteem boost, it would see them all raise their game in the quest for accolades. Eden Hazard would spend the entire season trying to pop the ball through someone’s legs to retain his nutmeg of the week crown. Harry Kane would be claiming goals scored in Sunday League games. Roberto Firmino’s teeth are already a thing of beauty; imagine the effort he’d put into them if there was a trophy up for grabs.
At the end of the day, more awards mean more chances to see Mo’s cheeky smile. Who could really begrudge that?
