Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year, becoming the first player to win the prestigious award three times.
The Egyptian, who joined Liverpool in 2017, enjoyed a stellar campaign last season, finishing as the Premier League’s top scorer with 29 goals. He also provided 18 assists, helping the club secure the league title, 10 points clear of nearest challengers Arsenal.
The 33-year-old’s achievements also saw him sweep the Premier League Player of the Season award, the Golden Boot for most goals, and the Playmaker award for most assists — the first player ever to win all three in a single season.
Salah previously collected the PFA honour in 2018, following his debut season at Anfield, and again in 2022. This year, he emerged ahead of a six-man shortlist voted on by PFA members across the 92 Premier League and Football League clubs. Rivals included teammate Alexis Mac Allister, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, Arsenal’s Declan Rice, and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.
Salah, who ended speculation over a Saudi Pro League move by signing a two-year contract extension with Liverpool in April, was also one of four Reds named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.
Other Award Winners
Aston Villa and England midfielder Morgan Rogers claimed the Young Player of the Year prize after scoring eight league goals in 37 starts, while also netting four times in the Champions League, including a hat-trick against Celtic.
In the women’s game, Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey was named Player of the Year in her debut season, after scoring nine league goals and eight in the Champions League — including in the final against her former club, Barcelona, as Arsenal lifted the trophy.
Liverpool forward Olivia Smith, 21, was voted Women’s Young Player of the Year after finishing as her side’s top scorer with nine goals across all competitions. The Canadian has since joined Arsenal for a reported £1m ($1.35m), becoming the first female footballer to command a seven-figure transfer fee.
Premier League Team of the Year
Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest); Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth), William Saliba (Arsenal), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal); Declan Rice (Arsenal), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool); Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Alexander Isak (Newcastle United), Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest).
Source: Al Jazeera
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