Mohamed Salah: Why Liverpool star is battling Ronaldo and Modric for UEFA award
LIVERPOOL forward Mohammed Salah had an incredible debut season and the Egyptian is now up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric for UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award.
Mohammed Salah is up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric for UEFA Men’s Player of the Year (Image: GETTY)
As the 26-year-old prepares for Liverpool’s trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace, few will disagree with his right to be in contention for the award.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson believes Salah's performances over the last season now mean expectations are higher not just for the player but for Liverpool as well.
"There's no doubt in my mind that he will be good this season because of the qualities he possesses," Hodgson said.
"But of course for him and his club, people will keep cranking up expectations and that's not a great thing to have to deal with either for the player or the club.”
There's no doubt in my mind that he will be good this season because of the qualities he possesses
Roy Hodgson - Crystal Palace manager
Salah, who scored 44 goals for Liverpool last season and was named the PFA Player of the Year, is up against Ronaldo and Modric for the UEFA award.
Salah faced off against both players as Liverpool lost 3-1 to Real in the Champions League final in Ukraine.
Unfortunately for the forward he was unable to reproduce his outstanding form seen throughout the season after picking up an injury after he landed awkwardly on his shoulder following a challenge from Sergio Ramos.
Ronaldo, who is now with Juventus, scored 15 goals in the Champions League in addition to the 27 he scored in La Liga.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who is now with Juventus, scored 15 goals in the Champions League last season (Image: GETTY)
Luka Modric took home the FIFA Golden Ball from the World Cup in Russia (Image: GETTY)
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The Portugal star is the current holder of the award having won it three times in the past four seasons.
Modric, who was also part of Real's Champions League winning team, also finished runner-up with Croatia at the World Cup in Russia, where he took home the FIFA Golden Ball - presented to the best player award at the tournament.
The shortlist of three players was selected by a jury comprising the 80 coaches of the clubs that participated in the group stages of the last season’s Champions League and Europa League, along with 55 journalists.
For Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp it was important that the club was able to secure Salah’s services under a long term contract.
“When someone like Mo Salah commits and says this place is my home now, it speaks very loudly I think,” said Klopp.
Mo Salah: There's no expectations for him this season says Klopp
Jurgen Klopp says it sends a message when Mo Salah signed a new contract with Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
“Equally, our commitment to him says we see his value and want him to grow even more and get even better within our environment.
“Mo reflects where we are as a team, I think. Last season was special with many special moments - but we want more.
“We want to be more successful and achieve more together - as the supporters sang so loudly, ‘we’re never gonna stop’. This has to be the attitude individually and collectively.”
The award will be presented at the Champions League group stage draw, which takes place on August 30 in Monaco.