Mohamed Salah, a Potential Star Threatening the Dominance of Messi and Ronaldo

 By  Akhmad Zamroni

Source: Liverpool FC-Getty Images

The world of football at the end of 2017 and the first half of 2018 was shocked by the emergence and emergence of a new star named Mohamed Salah. Salah’s impressive and productive performances in the English Premier League and Champions League 2017-2018 earned him several best player awards. He is now considered one of the best and elite players in England, Europe and the world whose performances have amazed many coaches, observers and football fans and earned him high praise.

The player who is grazing with Liverpool seems to be able to erase the star tradition of European football which has been dominated by players from Europe itself and Latin America. The arrival of Mohamed Salah from Egypt --- (an African country) began to shift the “tradition” of star football in the Blue Continent which lasted decades. Salah shows signs of being able to destabilize Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who for the last ten years have dominated European and world football.

In terms of achievements in the 2017-2018 Champions League, Salah has been able to surpass top and popular stars, such as Messi, Neymar, Greizmann, Pogba, Harry Kane, David Silva, Leroy Sane, Aguero, Cavani, Dybala, and Lewandowski because Salah has managed to bring Liverpool to the final of the highest club league competition in Europe to challenge Real Madrid. Unfortunately, in the final which was held on May 26 2018, in Kiev, Ukraine, Salah only appeared for about 27 minutes due to a serious injury to his left shoulder due to Sergio Ramos’ foul. However, in the unattractive final party, Salah’s last and toughest competitor, Ronaldo, also failed to score and appeared flat so that the competition between the two to become the world’s best player became fierce, tight, and unpredictable.

Set Many Records

Mohamed Salah, whose full name is Mohamed Salah Ghaly, was born in Basion, El Gharbia, Egypt, on June 15, 1992. Salah started his football career in 2002 at a local Egyptian club, El Mokawloon Sporting Club. Prior to 2010, his performance records for El Mokawloon were unknown. Only in 2010-2012 did he take 41 times for El Mokawloon scoring 11 goals.

On 1 July 2012 Salah moved to FC Basel --- at that time he arrived alone without mastering English or Swiss. At the club that won the Swiss League, he played until 2014 with 47 appearances scoring 9 goals and helped FC Basel retain the league title. On January 26, 2014 he was recruited by Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho, for a transfer value of 14.85 million pounds (around Rp. 288.29 billion). Under the tutelage of the Portuguese coach, Salah only appeared 19 times in all competitions for Chelsea, scoring two goals and four assists.

Source: Getty Images-https www.dailymail.co.uk

Salah was then loaned to the Italian Serie A League club, Fiorentina, for the period 2 February 2015–30 June 2015. Next, he was also loaned out to AS Roma during 6 August 2015–30 June 2016. At this club from the Italian capital he impressed: scored 15 goals and made 9 assists in 42 matches in all competitions. This feat earned him the title of the “Roma Player of the Season 2015-2016”.

Salah’s impressive achievement made AS Roma not think long about recruiting this 175 cm tall player. On July 1, 2016, AS Roma officially bought Salah from Chelsea for £ 13.5 million. In line with the increasing status of his presence in AS Roma, his contribution to “Wolf of Rome” (nicknamed AS Roma) is getting better. In the 2016-2017 season, he managed to record 19 goals and 15 assists in 41 matches in all competitions. His performance for AS Roma in lifting the team's game is considered very good so that the team that has been strengthened by Francesco Totti is able to survive in the top flight of the Serie A League.

After the end of the 2016-2017 season, Salah was recruited by Liverpool on July 1, 2017 at a price of 37.8 million pounds (around IDR 734.18 billion). Liverpool coach, Juergen Klopp, put him as a starting eleven to strengthen the midfield and Liverpool's power on the wing. Liverpool and Klopp are really lucky to sign this player.

Salah's age and playing ability are apparently showing his maturity when he joined Liverpool. At this legendary English club, he immediately showed his brilliant game. Not even one year playing for Liverpool, Salah managed to make many quite amazing records.

Until the end of the 2017-2018 Premier League season (mid-May 2018), he has scored 44 goals in all competitions for “The Red” (nicknamed Liverpool). In the Premier League, he scored 32 goals and 10 assists in 33 matches he played. In the FA Cup he scored 1 goal in 1 match, while in the 2017-2018 Champions League this bearded man who used to play as a midfielder or wing striker has scored 11 goals and 5 assists in 13 matches he played.

Source: https://esporte.ig.com.br

With his 32 goals record, Salah confirmed his position as the top scorer of the 2017-2018 Premier League season. He beat the record goals set by top stars, such as Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur; 30 goals), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City; 21 goals), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City; 20), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City; 18 goals) ), and Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United; 16 goals). As for the 11 goals in the 2017-2018 Champions League (including the goals he scored in the qualifying round), Salah has successfully buried big names, such as Edin Dzeko (AS Roma; 8 goals), Edinson Cavani (PSG; 7 goals), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur; 7 goals), Lionel Messi (Barcelona; 6 goals), Neymar (PSG; 6 goals), and Lewandowski (Bayern Munchen; 5 goals).

Salah's goal record in the 2017-2018 Champions League only lost to Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) who scored 15 goals. In the quality of individual play, Salah has proven capable of playing special in the Champions League. In the first leg of the 2017-2018 season semifinal when Liverpool beat AS Roma 5-2, Salah scored 2 goals and provided 2 assists.

With his 44 goals record for Liverpool in one season, Salah also aligned himself with legendary Liverpool players, Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. They are Liverpool players who can score more than 40 goals in one season. Rush was the last player to do so before Salah, namely in the 1983-1984 season scoring 47 goals, while Hunt scored 42 goals in the 1961-1962 season.

Salah is included in the list of Premier League players who have scored more than 30 goals in one season. Those already on the list are Alan Shearer, Andy Cole, Kevin Phillips, Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robin van Persie and Luis Suarez. Salah equaled the all-season Premier League goalscorer record for Alan Shearer (Blackburn Rovers, 1995-1996) Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, 2007-2008) and Luis Suárez (Liverpool, 2013-2014), all of whom scored 31 goals.

In scoring his 30th goal against Bournemouth in the Premier League, Salah became the African player with the record for most Premier League goals in a single season. The previous record holder was Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) who scored 29 goals for Chelsea in the 2019-2010 season. With 44 goals in all competitions, Salah also holds the record as the Premier League player with the most goals in a single season. He beat Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 42 goals for Manchester United in the 2007/2008 season.

Source: https://www.isibola.com

Prior to Salah’s arrival, Fernando Torres was the record holder as a Liverpool debutant with the most goals scored in a season. As a debutant, in the 2007-2008 season the transfer from Atletico Madrid scored 24 goals for Liverpool. However, Salah broke Torres’ record by scoring more than 30 goals. Together with another Liverpool striker from Brazil, Roberto Firmino, Salah also became the top scorer of “The Red” in one Champions League season, which is 10 goals --- and if 1 goal in the 2017-2018 Champions League qualifying round is counted (so that it becomes 11 goals. ), Salah beat Firmino.

Premier League Player of the Year and Prospective World Player of the Year Salah also played brilliantly for the Egyptian national team. He has appeared more than 50 times for Egypt both with the junior (U-20 and U-23) and senior teams. He scored more than 27 goals in various competitions, 11 of which he recorded in the 2018 African Zone World Cup qualifying round.

Salah became the key player and hero who qualified Egypt for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. In the group E Africa Zone continued party against Congo which ended 2-1 for Egypt’s advantage, Salah bought two Egyptian goals. Although there is still one match left in Group E, this victory ensures “The Pharaohs” (the nickname for the Egyptian team) qualifies for the 2018 World Cup finals. This success has become an antidote to the longing for the Egyptian people because for the previous 28 years the Egyptian national team was absent at the World Cup. –– Egypt last appeared in this quadrennial tournament at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

In the 2018 World Cup Salah did not appear fit and maximal due to the influence of the shoulder injury he suffered in the 2017-2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid. However, he was still able to score two goals in the group stage. He scored one goal when Egypt defeated Russia 3-1, another goal he scored when his team were beaten by Saudi Arabia with a score of 1-2.

Mo Salah’s brilliant performances with the Egyptian and Liverpool national teams led him to be named the 2017 African Player of the Year on 4 January 2018. In the election he managed to outperform his Liverpool team-mate Sadio Mane and Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Three days earlier (1 January 2018), Salah was also named the 2017 Arab Player of the Year.

Source: https://esportes.estadao.com.br

Playing brilliantly with Liverpool in almost every match also made Salah the first player in the Premier League to win the Player of the Month award three times in one season. He successfully won the “Player of the Month” title for November 2017 and February 2018 and March 2018. Ultimately, on 22 April 2018 this curly-haired man was awarded the title of “Professional Footballers Association (PFA) Player of the Year 2017-2018” or “2017-2018 Premier League Player of the Year”. Based on voting among Premier League professional players, Salah's vote outperformed other Premier League stars, such as Kevin De Bruyne, Harry Kane, Leroy Sane, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, David De Gea, Paul Pogba, Roberto Firmino , Sadio Mane, Gabriel Jesus, Marcus Rashford, Jamie Vardy, Raheem Sterling, and Romelu Lukaku.

It can be said that currently the Premier League competition is the best league in the world. The Spanish La Liga does have the best teams and players in the world which can be seen in Barcelona and Real Madrid and in Messi and Ronaldo, but the competition between teams and between the stars in this league in the last ten years has been dominated by these figures alone (Messi/Barcelona versus Ronaldo/Real Madrid, or the occasional Atletico Madrid) so the competition is relatively unbalanced, tight and tense. This is different from the Premier League, which apart from being enlivened by world class players (including the move from La Liga), the competition between stars and teams is also much more even and balanced, resulting in fierce, tight and tense competition.

By becoming the best player in the Premier League, Salah automatically enters the elite and best players in the world. By being the best in England and having also surpassed Messi and Neymar in the Champions League, practically Salah has entered the competition to become the best player in the world 2018 with the world’s top players. The winners will not only be determined by appearances in the 2017-2018 Champions League and 2018 World Cup, as well as in the domestic league.

FIFA itself has announced the ten best candidates for the world player 2018 on July 24 2018. One of the players chosen by the world football federation is Mohamed Salah. The other nine players are Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium), Antoine Griezmann (France), Eden Hazard, Harry Kane (England), Kylian Mbappe (France), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Luka Modric (Croatia), and Raphael Varane (France). Of the ten players, FIFA will reduce it to three finalists in early September 2018.The winner of the 2018 World Player of the Year award will be announced at The Best FIFA Football Awards in London, England, on 24 September 2018.

Salah has the advantage of age and momentum factors. Currently he is at the peak of the maturity of a football player (25 years), while momentum, his performance on the field is also at the peak of his fire and ambition, enthusiasm and self-confidence because he has won many records, several times was chosen as the best player, and brought the team he defended (Liverpool and Egypt) to high level competition. The weakness is that the national team he defends does not yet have a tradition of high achievement at the world level.

Source: https://www.sportswallah.com

Praise for False

Salah’s impressive performance earned him a lot of praise. Fellow players, coaches, and former football stars gave many positive appreciation to the frizzy haired player. They generally place Salah in the category of world’s top footballer.

The former AS Roma and Italian national team star, Francesco Totti, stated, “At his current level of play, he is one of the best players in the world. I think he will continue to get better.” Totti admitted that he knew Mohamed Salah well and he considered Salah a good friend and kept trying to develop. It’s wrong to do well, train hard, and listen to the coach. “Therefore, no matter how good his game is at the moment, he will still develop one more level,” continued Totti.

AS Roma midfielder who is a former teammate of Salah, Kevin Strootman, said, “Now Salah has very high self-confidence and can create opportunities for himself so he can easily score goals. He is an extraordinary man on and off the pitch.” Strootman’s statement was issued ahead of the 2017-2018 Champions League semi-final match between AS Roma and Liverpool. “Salah also did an amazing job in the national team. I think, right now Salah is king in Egypt and the people there want to elect him to be president,” said Strootman half jokingly.

Salah’s teammate at Liverpool who was also one of Croatia’s important players at the 2018 World Cup, Dejan Lovren, even considered Salah the world’s best player who surpassed Ronaldo and Messi. Lovren believes Salah deserves the top individual award in football, on par with Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. “He can penetrate the top three best players in the world. He has this world-class experience,” said Lovren.

Former Manchester United and England national team back Rio Ferdinand likes Salah’s way and style. “Mohamed Salah has been very efficient this year,” said Ferdinand. “He is fun to watch and a fantastic addition to the Premier League. Mohamed Salah makes people sit down to have fun, it’s beautiful to look at,” he said.

Source: https://www.cnnindonesia.com

The legendary Liverpool player, Kenny Dalglish, is very happy to see Mohamed Salah’s performance at Liverpool. According to him, Salah’s role was not only scoring goals for Liverpool. “Salah is fantastic. He really did something that exceeded my expectations. You all know that Jurgen Klopp did not anticipate that Salah could score 39 goals until now,” he said. “He is still very humble despite the many goals scored. He’s still playing at the maximum and trying to give his best. He even does something when he's not in possession of the ball, that’s great. "

Another Liverpool legend, namely Gary McAllister, also paid tribute to Salah. He said that the Egyptian player was a special player for Liverpool in the 2017-2018 season competition. McAllister admitted that he did not expect Salah’s brilliant performance in his first season with Liverpool. He considered Salah as a versatile player with extraordinary ability and technique. “He (Salah) is indeed a special player, but I have to admit that his performances exceeded my predictions. He's an extraordinary player,” said McAllister.

One of Salah’s competitors in the Premier League as well as a competitor to win the world player award, Kevin De Bruyne, also gave praise. De Bruyne admits Salah’s performance this season has been phenomenal. Salah is a player who brings big changes to his team. “Salah has been listed as a goal-hungry player and he plays very well in all attacking positions. This season he has been extraordinary,” said the Belgian national team player.

Manchester United coach, Jose Mourinho, is one of those who admire Salah. He praised Salah as one of the fastest players in the world. “Egypt has, I don’t want to say the fastest, but I have to say, one of the fastest players in the world,” said Mou. “With the ball, without the ball, he can dribble, he can attack the space behind the line of the opposing defenders,” explained Mourinho.

And of course, the Liverpool coach, Juergen Klopp, did not miss his praise.  “We know Salah is a very offensive midfield player. I love the goals he created; I love the assists he creates. I really like this player. How he did everything well and thank God, he’s still healthy and fit,” Klopp said as quoted by the club’s official website.

Mohamed Salah, Bintang yang Potensial Mengancam Dominasi Messi dan Ronaldo

Oleh Akhmad Zamroni

Source: Bola Motion

Dunia sepak bola pada penghujung tahun 2017 dan paruh pertama tahun 2018 dihebohkan oleh muncul dan melesatnya bintang baru yang bernama Mohamed Salah. Penampilan Salah yang mengesankan dan produktif di Liga Primer Inggris dan Liga Champions 2017-2018 membuatnya meraih beberapa kali penghargaan pemain terbaik. Ia kini diangap sebagai salah satu pemain elite dan terbaik di Inggris, Eropa, dan dunia yang penampilannya membuat banyak pelatih, pengamat, dan penggemar sepak bola takjub dan memberinya pujian yang tinggi.

Pemain yang merumput bersama Liverpool ini bahkan sepertinya mampu menghapus tradisi kebintangan sepak bola Eropa yang selama ini didominasi pemain-pemain dari Eropa sendiri dan Amerika Latin. Kedatangan Mohamed Salah dari Mesir­­­­ (salah satu negara Afrika) mulai menggeser “tradisi” kebintangan sepak bola Benua Biru yang berlangsung puluhan tahun. Salah menunjukkan tanda-tanda mampu menggoyahkan Lionel Messi dan Cristiano Ronaldo yang selama sepuluh tahun terakhir merajai sepak bola Eropa dan dunia.

Dari segi prestasi di Liga Champions 2017-2018, Salah sudah mampu melampaui bintang-bintang top dan populer, seperti Messi, Neymar, Greizmann, Pogba, Harry Kane, David Silva, Leroy Sane, Aguero, Cavani, Dybala, dan Lewandowski karena Salah telah berhasil membawa Liverpool ke final kompetisi liga antarklub tertinggi di Eropa itu untuk menantang Real Madrid. Sayang sekali, dalam final yang digelar tanggal 26 Mei 2018, di Kiev, Ukraina, itu Salah hanya tampil sekitar 27 menit karena mengalami cedera serius pada bahu kiri akibat dilanggar Sergio Ramos. Namun, dalam partai final yang tidak menarik itu, kompetitor Salah terakhir dan terberat, Ronaldo, juga gagal mencetak gol dan tampil datar saja sehingga persaingan keduanya untuk menjadi pemain terbaik dunia menjadi sengit, ketat, dan sulit ditebak.

Membukukan Banyak Rekor

Mohamed Salah, yang memiliki nama lengkap Mohamed Salah Ghaly, lahir di Basion, El Gharbia, Mesir, pada 15 Juni 1992. Salah mengawali karier sepak bolanya pada tahun 2002 di klub lokal Mesir, El Mokawloon Sporting Club. Sebelum tahun 2010, catatan penampilannya untuk El Mokawloon tidak diketahui. Baru pada tahun 2010—2012 ia tambil sebanyak 41 kali untuk El Mokawloon dengan mencetak 11 gol.

Pada 1 Juli 2012 Salah hijrah ke FC Basel — saat itu ia datang seorang diri tanpa menguasai bahasa Inggris atau bahasa Swiss. Di klub juara Liga Swiss ini ia bermain hingga tahun 2014 dengan tampil sebanyak 47 kali dengan membukukan 9 gol serta turut membantu FC Basel mempertahankan gelar juara liga. Pada 26 Januari 2014 ia direkrut pelatih Chelsea,Jose Mourinho, dengan nilai transfer 14,85 juta pounds (sekitar Rp 288,29 miliar). Di bawah asuhan pelatih asal Portugal itu, Salah hanya tampil 19 kali di semua ajang kompetisi untuk Chelsea dengan mencetak dua gol dan empat assist.

Salah kemudian dipinjamkan ke klub Liga Seri A Italia, Fiorentina, untuk periode 2 Februari 2015—30 Juni 2015. Berikutnya, ia juga dipinjamkan ke AS Roma selama 6 Agustus 2015—30 Juni 2016. Di klub asal ibu kota Italia ini ia bermain mengesankan: mencetak 15 gol dan membuat 9 assist dari 42 laga yang dijalaninya di semua ajang. Prestasi ini membuatnya dinobatkan sebagai “Roma Player of the Season 2015-2016”.

Source: http://www.zimbio.com

Pencapaian Salah yang mengesankan itu membuat AS Roma tidak berpikir panjang untuk merekrut pemain bertinggi badan 175 cm ini. Pada 1 Juli 2016 AS Roma secara resmi membeli Salah dari Chelsea dengan nilai 13,5 juta pounds. Sejalan dengan meningkatnya status keberadaan di AS Roma, kontribusinya untuk “Srigala Roma” (julukan AS Roma) pun makin membaik. Pada musim 2016-2017, ia berhasil membukukan 19 gol dan 15 assist dalam 41 pertandingan di semua ajang. Kinerjanya untuk AS Roma dalam mengangkat permainan tim dinilai sangat baik sehingga tim yang pernah diperkuat Francesco Totti ini mampu bertahan di papan atas Liga Seri A.

Seusai berakhirnya musim kompetisi 2016-2017, Salah direkrut Liverpool pada 1 Juli 2017 dengan harga 37,8 juta pounds (sekitar Rp 734,18 miliar). Pelatih Liverpool, Juergen Klopp, menempatkannya sebagai pemain inti (starting eleven) untuk memperkuat lini tengah dan daya gedor Liverpool di sektor sayap. Liverpool dan Klopp sungguh beruntung merekrut pemain ini.

Usia dan kemampuan bermain Salah rupanya tengah menunjukkan kematangannya saat bergabung dengan Liverpool. Di klub legendaris Inggris ini ia langsung memperlihatkan permainan gemilangnya. Belum genap satu tahun bermain untuk Liverpool, Salah berhasil membuat banyak rekor yang cukup menakjubkan.

Sampai dengan berakhirnya kompetisi Liga Primer musim 2017-2018 (pertengahan Mei 2018), ia telah membukukan 44 gol di semua ajang kompetisi untuk “The Red” (julukan Liverpool). Di Liga Primer (Premier League — Liga Inggris), ia mencetal 32 gol dan 10 assist dari 33 pertandingan yang dijalaninya. Di ajang Piala FA ia mencetak 1 gol dari 1 laga, sedangkan di Liga Champions 2017-2018 pria berewok yang biasa bermain sebagai gelandang atau penyerang sayap ini telah menorehkan 11 gol dan 5 assist dari 13 laga yang dilakoninya.

Dengan catatan 32 golnya, Salah mempertegas kedudukannya sebagai pencetak gol terbanyak (top skor) kompetisi Liga Primer musim 2017-2018. Ia mengalahkan catatan gol yang dibuat bintang-bintang papan atas, seperti Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur; 30 gol), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City; 21 gol), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City; 20), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City; 18 gol), dan Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United; 16 gol). Adapun dengan 11 gol di Liga Champions 2017-2018 (termasuk gol yang ia cetak pada babak kualifikasi), Salah sukses membenamkan nama-nama besar, seperti Edin Dzeko (AS Roma; 8 gol), Edinson Cavani (PSG; 7 gol), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur; 7 gol), Lionel Messi (Barcelona; 6 gol), Neymar (PSG; 6 gol), dan Lewandowski (Bayern Munchen; 5 gol).

Catatan gol Salah di Liga Champions 2017-2018 hanya kalah dari Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) yang mencetak 15 gol. Dalam kualitas permainan individu, Salah sudah membuktikan mampu bermain istimewa di Liga Champions. Dalam partai leg pertama semifinal musim 2017-2018 saat Liverpool menghajar AS Roma  5-2, Salah mencetak 2 gol dan membuat 2 assist.

Dengan catatan 44 golnya untuk Liverpool dalam satu musim kompetisi, Salah juga menyejajarkan diri dengan pemain legendaris Liverpool, Ian Rush dan Roger Hunt. Mereka merupakan pemain Liverpool yang mampu mencetak 40 gol lebih dalam satu musim. Rush adalah pemain terakhir yang melakukannya sebelum Salah, yaitu pada musim 1983-1984 dengan mencetak 47 gol, adapun Hunt mencetak 42 gol pada musim 1961-1962.

Source: https://twitter.com

Salah masuk dalam daftar pemain Liga Primer yang mampu mencetak 30 gol lebih dalam satu musim kompetisi. Mereka yang sudah masuk daftar itu adalah Alan Shearer, Andy Cole, Kevin Phillips, Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robin van Persie, dan Luis Suarez. Salah menyamai rekor pencetak gol Liga Primer dalam semusim atas nama Alan Shearer (Blackburn Rovers, 1995-1996) Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, 2007-2008) dan Luis Suárez (Liverpool, 2013-2014), yang semuanya mencetak 31 gol.

Saat membuat gol ke-30, yang ia cetak ke gawang Bournemouth dalam Liga Primer, Salah menjadi pemain Afrika dengan rekor gol terbanyak di Liga Primer Inggris dalam satu musim. Pemegang rekor sebelumnya adalah Didier Drogba (Pantai Gading) yang mencetak 29 gol untuk Chelsea pada musim 2019-2010. Dengan 44 golnya di semua ajang kompetisi, Salah juga memegang rekor sebagai pemain Liga Primer dengan jumlah gol terbanyak dalam satu musim kompetisi. Ia mengalahkan Cristiano Ronaldo yang mampu mencetak 42 gol untuk Manchester United pada musim 2007/2008. 

Sebelum kedatangan Salah, Fernando Torres adalah pemegang rekor sebagai pemain debutan Liverpool dengan torehan gol terbanyak dalam satu musim. Sebagai debutan, pada musim 2007-2008 pemain pindahan dari Atletico Madrid itu sukses mencetak 24 gol untuk Liverpool. Namun, Salah mematahkan rekor Torres dengan mencetak lebih dari 30 gol. Bersama penyerang Liverpool lain dari Brasil, Roberto Firmino, Salah juga menjadi pencetak gol terbanyak “The Red” dalam satu musim kompetisi Liga Champions, yakni 10 gol — dan jika 1 golnya pada babak kualifikasi Liga Champions 2017-2018 turut dihitung (sehingga menjadi 11 gol), Salah mengalahkan Firmino.

Pemain Terbaik Liga Inggris dan Calon Pemain Terbaik Dunia

Salah juga bermain cemerlang untuk tim nasional Mesir. Ia telah tampil lebih dari 50 kali untuk Mesir baik bersama tim junior (U-20 dan U-23) maupun senior. Ia mencetak lebih dari 27 gol di berbagai ajang, 11 gol di antaranya ia bukukan dalam babak kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2018 Zona Afrika.

Salah menjadi pemain kunci sekaligus pahlawan yang meloloskan Mesir ke Piala Dunia 2018 di Rusia. Dalam partai lanjutan Grup E Zona Afrika melawan Kongo yang berakhir 2-1 untuk keunggulan Mesir, Salah  memborong dua gol Mesir. Meskipun masih tersisa satu pertandingan lagi di Grup E, kemenangan ini memastikan “The Pharaohs” (julukan untuk tim Mesir) lolos ke putaran final Piala Dunia 2018. Sukses ini menjadi penawar rindu rakyat Mesir karena selama 28 tahun sebelumnya tim nasional Mesir absen di Piala Dunia –– Mesir terakhir tampil di turnamen empat tahunan ini di Piala Dunia 1990 di Italia.

Dalam Piala Dunia 2018 Salah kurang tampil fit dan maksimal akibat pengaruh cedera bahu yang dideritanya dalam final Liga Champions 2017-2018 melawan Real Madrid. Namun, ia masih mampu mencetak dua gol dalam babak penyisihan grup. Satu gol ia cetak saat Mesir dikalahkan Rusia 3-1, satu gol lagi ia buat ketika timnya ditundukkan Arab Saudi dengan skor 1-2.

Penampilan gemilang Mo Salah bersama tim nasional Mesir dan Liverpool mengantarkannya terpilih menjadi Pemain Terbaik Afrika 2017 pada 4 Januari 2018. Dalam pemilihan ia berhasil mengungguli rekan setimnya di Liverpool, Sadio Mane, dan bintang Borussia Dortmund, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Tiga hari sebelumnya (1 Januari 2018), Salah juga dinobatkan sebagai Pemain Terbaik Arab 2017.

Bermain brilian bersama Liverpool hampir dalam setiap laga juga menjadikan Salah sebagai pemain pertama di Liga Primer yang meraih penghargaan Pemain Terbaik Bulanan sebanyak tiga kali dalam satu musim. Ia sukses menyabet gelar “Player of the Month” itu untuk bulan November 2017 serta Februari 2018 dan Maret 2018. Puncaknya, pada 22 April 2018 pria berambut ikal ini dianugerahi gelar “Professional Footballers Association (PFA) Player of the Year 2017-2018” atau “Pemain Terbaik Liga Inggris 2017-2018”. Berdasarkan voting yang dilakukan di kalangan pemain profesional Liga Inggris, perolehan suara Salah mengungguli perolehan suara bintang-bintang Liga Primer lain, seperti Kevin De Bruyne, Harry Kane, Leroy Sane, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, David De Gea, Paul Pogba, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Gabriel Jesus, Marcus Rashford, Jamie Vardy, Raheem Sterling, dan Romelu Lukaku.

Dapat dikatakan, saat ini kompetisi Liga Inggris merupakan liga terbaik di dunia. La Liga Spanyol memang memiliki tim dan pemain terbaik dunia yang dapat dilihat pada Barcelona dan Real Madrid serta pada diri Messi dan Ronaldo, tetapi persaingan antartim dan antarbintang di liga ini dalam sepuluh tahun terakhir didominasi oleh figur-figur itu saja (Messi/Barcelona versus Ronaldo/Real Madrid, atau sesekali Atletico Madrid) sehingga kompetisinya relatif kurang berimbang, ketat, dan menegangkan. Hal itu berbeda dengan Liga Primer yang selain diramaikan oleh pemain-pemain kelas dunia (termasuk pindahan dari La Liga), persaingan antarbintang dan antartimnya juga jauh lebih merata dan berimbang sehingga menghasilkan kompetisi yang sengit, ketat, dan menegangkan.

Dengan menjadi pemain terbaik Liga Primer, Salah pun dengan sendirinya masuk deretan pemain elite dan terbaik dunia. Dengan menjadi yang terbaik di Inggris serta telah pula melampaui Messi dan Neymar di Liga Champions, praktis Salah telah masuk dalam persaingan menjadi pemain terbaik dunia 2018 bersama para pemain papan atas dunia. Pemenangnya selain akan ditentukan melalui penampilan di Liga Champions 2017-2018 dan Piala Dunia 2018, juga di liga domestik.

FIFA sendiri telah mengumumkan sepuluh kandidat pemain terbaik dunia 2018 pada 24 Juli 2018. Salah satu pemain yang dipilih federasi sepak bola dunia ini adalah Mohamed Salah. Sembilan pemain lainnya adalah Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgia), Antoine Griezmann (Prancis), Eden Hazard, Harry Kane (Inggris), Kylian Mbappe (Prancis), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Luka Modric (Kroasia), dan Raphael Varane (Prancis). Dari sepuluh pemain, FIFA akan mengerucutkannya menjadi tiga finalis pada awal September 2018. Peraih penghargaan Pemain Terbaik Dunia 2018 akan diumumkan dalam acara The Best FIFA Football Awards di London, Inggris, pada 24 September 2018

Salah memiliki keunggulan pada faktor usia dan momentum. Saat ini ia tengah berada pada puncak kematangan usia seorang pemain sepak bola (25 tahun), sementara secara momentum, penampilannya di lapangan juga tengah berada pada puncak on fire  serta dalam ambisi, semangat, dan kepercayaan diri yang sangat tinggi karena meraih banyak rekor, beberapa kali terpilih menjadi pemain terbaik, serta membawa tim yang dibelanya (Liverpool dan Mesir) ke persaingan tingkat tinggi. Kelemahannya, tim nasional yang ia bela belum memiliki tradisi prestasi tinggi di level dunia.

Pujian untuk Salah

Penampilan impresif Salah menuai banyak pujian. Sesama pemain, pelatih, dan mantan bintang sepak bola banyak memberikan apresiasi positif terhadap pemain berambut kribo itu. Mereka umumnya menempatkan Salah pada kategori pesepak bola papan atas dunia.

Mantan bintang AS Roma dan tim nasional Italia, Francesco Totti, menyatakan, “Pada level permainannya saat ini, dia merupakan salah satu pemain terbaik di dunia. Saya pikir, ia akan terus bertambah bagus.” Totti mengaku kenal baik dengan Mohamed Salah dan ia menilai Salah sebagai sosok teman yang baik dan terus berusaha berkembang. Salah melakukan semua hal dengan baik, berlatih dengan keras, dan mendengarkan pelatih. “Karena itu, sebagus apa pun permainannya saat ini, dia masih akan berkembang satu level lagi,” lanjut Totti.

Gelandang AS Roma yang merupakan mantan rekan setim Salah, Kevin Strootman, berujar, “Sekarang Salah mempunyai kepercayaan diri sangat tinggi dan bisa menciptakan peluang untuk dirinya sendiri sehingga dengan mudah mencetak gol. Dia pria luar biasa di dalam dan luar lapangan.” Pernyataan Strootman ini dikeluarkan menjelang pertandingan semifinal Liga Champions 2017-2018 antara AS Roma melawan Liverpool. “Salah juga melakukan pekerjaan mengagumkan di tim nasional. Saya pikir, saat ini Salah adalah raja di Mesir dan rakyat di sana ingin memilihnya menjadi presiden,” ujar Strootman setengah bergurau.

Rekan setim Salah di Liverpool yang juga menjadi salah satu pemain penting Kroasia di Piala Dunia 2018, Dejan Lovren, bahkan menganggap Salah sebagai pemain terbaik dunia yang mengungguli Ronaldo dan Messi. Lovren percaya, Salah pantas mendapat penghargaan individu paling top di sepakbola, menyejajarkan diri dengan Ronaldo dan Lionel Messi. “Ia bisa menembus tiga besar pemain terbaik di dunia. Ia memiliki pengalaman kelas dunia ini,” kata Lovren.

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Mantan back Manchester United dan tim nasional Inggris, Rio Ferdinand, menyukai caradan gaya bermain Salah. “Mohamed Salah sangat efisien tahun ini,” kata Ferdinand. “Ia menyenangkan untuk ditonton dan tambahan yang fantastis di Premier League. Mohamed Salah membuat orang-orang duduk untuk bersenang-senang, itu indah untuk dilihat,” pujinya.

Pemain ​legendaris Liverpool, Kenny Dalglish, sangat senang melihat kinerja Mohamed Salah di Liverpool. Menurutnya, peran Salah tak hanya mencetak gol untuk Liverpool. “Salah sangat fantastis. Dia benar-benar melakukan sesuatu yang melebihi ekspektasi saya. Anda semua tentu tahu Jurgen Klopp pun tak mengantisipasi Salah bisa membuat 39 gol sampai sekarang,” ujarnya. “Dia masih sangat rendah hati terlepas dari banyak gol yang dicetak. Dia masih bermain maksimal dan mencoba memberikan yang terbaik. Bahkan ia melakukan sesuatu juga ketika tidak memegang bola, itu luar biasa.”

Legenda Liverpool yang lain, yakni Gary McAllister, turut memberikan pujian kepada Salah. Ia mengatakan bahwa pemain berpaspor Mesir itu sebagai pemain istimewa bagi Liverpool dalam mengarungi kompetisi musim 2017-2018. McAllister mengaku tak menyangka dengan performa gemilang Salah di musim perdana bersama Liverpool. Ia menilai Salah sebagai pemain serba bisa dengan kemampuan dan teknik luar biasa. “Dia (Salah) memang pemain istimewa, tetapi saya harus akui penampilannya melebihi prediksi saya. Dia pemain luar biasa,” ujar McAllister.

Salah satu pesaing Salah di Liga Inggris sekaligus pesaing dalam meraih penghargaan pemain terbaik dunia, Kevin De Bruyne, juga memberikan pujian. De Bruyne mengakui performa Salah musim ini sangat fenomenal. Salah menjadi pemain yang membawa perubahan besar bagi timnya. “Salah telah tercatat sebagai pemain haus gol dan dia bermain sangat baik di semua posisi penyerang. Musim ini dia sangat luar biasa,” kata pemain tim nasional Belgia ini.

Pelatih Manchester United, Jose Mourinho, termasuk orang yang mengagumi Salah. Ia memuji Salah sebagai salah satu pemain tercepat di dunia. “Mesir memiliki, saya tidak ingin mengatakan yang tercepat, tetapi saya harus mengatakan, salah satu pemain tercepat di dunia,” puji Mou. “Dengan bola, tanpa bola, ia bisa menggiring bola, ia bisa menyerang ruang di belakang barisan bek-bek lawan,” terang Mourinho.

Dan tentu saja, sang pelatih Liverpool, Juergen Klopp, tak ketinggalan memberikan sanjungannya. “Kami tahu Salah adalah pemain lini tengah yang sangat ofensif. Saya suka gol yang dia ciptakan; saya suka assist yang dia ciptakan. Saya sangat suka dengan pemain ini. Bagaimana dia melakukan semua dengan baik dan terima kasih Tuhan, dia masih sehat dan bugar,” ujar Klopp seperti dilansir situs resmi klub.

Francisco Roman Alarcon Suarez

 By  Akhmad Zamroni

Source: www.beritagol88.com

Isco, whose real name is Francisco Román Alarcón Suárez, was born in Benalmadena, Malaga, Andalusia, on April 21, 1992 (age 25 years). Isco currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Real Madrid. Before playing with Real Madrid, Isco played for Valencia and Malaga.

From Valencia, Isco joined Malaga in July 2011 on a five-year contract. After playing for Malaga for two years, he joined the star-studded club Real Madrid in June 2013 on a five-year contract. Because of his brilliant performance, Madrid still maintains him to this day.

Isco is a product of Spanish football which has a tradition of playing attacking with high-tech short passes. He is starting to find his maturity as an attacking midfielder thanks to Real Madrid, which has world-class players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Macelo and Toni Kroos. Isco is currently one of Real Madrid’s domestic players who are very important in the midst of the flourishing of the capital club’s foreign stars.

Like most Spanish players, Isco is very calm, patient, confident and has high technique. When Madrid’s stars, especially the BBC trio (Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo) were having trouble scoring goals, Isco often burst into stardom by scoring important and decisive goals for Real Madrid. Real Madrid coach, Zinedine Zidane, praised Isco as a future star for Real Madrid. Zidane's statement shows that Isco has the potential and hope to replace the role and star of Ronaldo and several other senior stars in Madrid.

When Real Madrid crushed Deportivo La Coruna 6-2 in La Liga matches, Isco’s charming performance also drew praise from Zidane. Playing without a number of its flagship stars, such as Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale, Madrid played impressively thanks to Isco’s brilliant performances. Isco scored one goal, provided an assist and was involved in four other goals. Isco was pulled off in the 79th minute and was surprisingly applauded by La Coruna supporters.

“It’s rare for an opposing player to get applause and a standing ovation from the home fans. It’s only for players who put on great form. Isco has performed brilliantly and he deserves it,” said Zidane. “He showed that all players can do the same if they want to work hard and don’t get discouraged. I am very happy with the performance he showed.”

Source: www.beritagol88.com

With the Spanish national team, Isco also played very impressive several times. One of them, when Spain immersed Italy 3-0 on September 2, 2017 in the 2018 World Cup Qualifying round, Isco scored two goals, which earned him a lot of praise. “Isco is showing an extraordinary game. Isco has always wanted the ball and did well without it. Playing regularly and consistently makes you develop in the world of football. Isco is a great player and has improved a lot this year,” said the coach of the Spanish national team, Julen Lopetegui.

Former Valencia and Barcelona star David Villa admits that he has long known Isco as a quality player. Villa is optimistic that the Real Madrid midfielder will become one of the best players in the world. “I have known Isco for a long time, since he was a child and started training with the Valencia first team,” said Villa. “He is a world class player and he will continue to be a star player because he is young and can keep getting better,” he continued.

Isco’s colleague in the Spanyo national team, David De Gea, even said that the Real Madrid player would be one of the greatest players of all time. According to De Gea, Isco will still do other miraculous things because he is in top form. “Personally I have known Isco for a long time so I am not really surprised by what he did. He is in top form and will do other extraordinary things,” said De Gea, who is also the Manchester United goalkeeper. “He’s at the top level now and that’s good for the team. We hope he continues to improve. I am sure, he will become one of the best footballers in the world.”

Another fellow Isco in the national team, Alvaro Morata, is no less impressed than Isco. “Isco is a phenomenal player. As long as he is happy, we are happy too. The injuries he suffered were minor. We hope he can recover as soon as possible,” said Morata.

Real Madrid back, Raphael Varane, said, “This squad (Real Madrid) is very qualified and everyone has to play their part. There are a lot of games left and we need all the players. Isco has tremendous quality and I love seeing him in action in training or in matches. He has extraordinary talent.” As for Isco’s former Valencia colleague who now plays as Barcelona's left-back, Jordi Alba, also gave Isco high praise, “He is on the same level as the best player in the world ....”

Marco Asensio Willemsen

 By  Akhmad Zamroni

Source: pbs.twimg.com

Previously the name Marco Asensio was not as popular as Isco in La Liga (Spanish League), but now his ability and reputation are starting to rival his senior. Both at Real Madrid and the Spanish National Team, Isco became a senior for Asensio. Since 2016, Asensio has been a byword in Spanish football thanks to his impressive performances for Real Madrid.

The player whose full name is Marco Asensio Willemsen was born in Palma, Majorca, Balearic Islands, on January 21, 1996 (age 21 years). Asensio is the son of a Dutch mother and a Spanish (Basque) father. Asensio started his career at Real Mallorca. He is a product of the Real Mallorca Academy.

Asensio is actually a Barcelona fan. At the start of the 2014/2015 season Barcelona tried to recruit this talented player. However, the Blaugrana's attempt to own him for 1.5 million euros (Rp21.97 billion) was rejected by Mallorca.

In December 2014 Asensio ended up stranded at Barcelona's eternal rival, Real Madrid. The club based in Santiago Barnabeau managed to get Asensio for 3.5 million euros (Rp.51.27 billion). Prior to joining Real Madrid's first team, he was loaned to Mallorca and Espanyol. His brilliant performances during his loan spell lured El Real coach, Zinedine Zidane, to take him home and put him in the Real Madrid first team since 2016.

Asensio is now one of the core and important players for Real Madrid. At a young age (21 years), he is not awkward playing in a team with big stars owned by El Real, such as Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema, Toni Kroos, and Marcelo. In several La Liga matches, he was even able to perform brilliantly and score the winning goal for Madrid.

Source: http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com

Asensio is expected to become a big star in Madrid and Spain in the next few years. A figure who usually plays for the position of midfielder (midfielder) and wing attacker this received high praise from various circles. When Neymar moved to Paris Saint-Germain in early August 2017, Lionel Messi asked Bacelona's management to buy Asensio to replace the Brazilian star.

On one occasion, five-time Ballon d’Or award winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, stated that Asensio has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or like himself. The former coach of the Spanish national team, Vicente del Bosque, assessed Asensio as the player who has the best talent in Spain at this time. David Villa, a former Barcelona striker and the Spanish national team, also stated that Asensio is a very talented young player who will return to bring Spain to glory like the times when he was still active in the Matador Team.

As for Zidane, Asensio is a complete player and will make a big contribution to Real Madrid. Zidane repeatedly praised his foster children. “Asensio gave quite a complete contribution, not only through his goals. Asensio will stay with us. That’s my plan,” said Zidane as reported by Football Espana. According to Zidane, Asensio has good quality and talent. Zidane so far feels quite happy with what Asensio has done for Real Madrid.

Many fans and supporters of the Dutch national team want Asensio to play for the Netherlands because he has Dutch blood. However, Asensio was determined to choose Spain. Asensio played for the Spain U-19 and U-21 national teams. Together with the Spain U-19 national team, he successfully led the Matador Team to win the 2015 European Cup. Thanks to his brilliance, he also entered Spain’s senior national team for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Paulo Bruno Exequiel Dybala

 By  Akhmad Zamroni

Source: cdn.shopify.com

After the phenomenal appearance of Lionel Messi, Argentina seems to have experienced a dry period in maintaining its tradition as a producer of world-class and world-class talented players. However, a young man from Cordoba named Paulo Dybala managed to end it by appearing impressively with Juventus. Paulo Dybala has now grown into a new Argentine star who is said to be ready to continue the starry of Messi and Maradona.

Paulo Dybala, whose full name is Paulo Bruno Exequiel Dybala, was born in Cordoba, Argentina, on November 15, 1993 (age 24 years). Dybala started his football career at the Argentine domestic club, Instituto de Córdoba. From Cordoba, he decided to join the Italian Serie A club, Palermo, in 2012. Two years later, at the end of the 2014/2015 season he moved to Juventus.

At the Turin club, Dybala used to play as a striker. Dybala’s playing style is said to be similar to his senior player in the Argentina national team who played for Manchester City, Sergio Agüero, as well as former AS Roma and Italian national team player, Vincenzo Montella. Since being recruited from Palermo, he has continued to show positive developments that make the Juventus coach and management happy.

In the 2017/2018 season, Dybala has shown his brilliant performances both in the Italian domestic league (Serie A) and in the Champions League. Many times he played impressively and scored crucial goals that determined Juventus’ victory. For example, when Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0 in the first leg of the 2017/2018 Champions League quarter-final, Dybala bought up two goals from the Old Lady. As for the continuation of the fifth week of the Italian League, he scored a hat-trick to bring Juventus to beat Sassuolo 3-1.

The player who bears the nickname “La Joya” is expected to be able to continue in the footsteps of Messi and Sergio Aguero as the stars of the Argentine national team. At Juventus alone Dybala was given the mission to wear the shirt number 10 –  in recognition of his role as an important player in determining the team. Traditionally at Juventus, the number 10 shirt is considered sacred and is very often worn by the team’s main stars, such as Roberto Baggio and Del Piero.

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So far, the 177 cm tall player is showing clear signs as a future star who will shine brightly at both Juventus and the Argentina national team. At Juventus, at the age of 24 at this time, Dybala has been able to surpass the record goals set by his senior from Argentina, Gonzalo Higuain, for the 2017/2018 season. Until this article was written, Dybala was the Juventus player with the most goals scored in all competitions for the 2017/2018 season.

Entering the 2017/2018 season, Dybala has increasingly stolen the attention and invited a lot of praise. Juventus legend, Alessandro Del Piero, was impressed and several times praised Dybala's performances. According to Del Piero, Dybala’s game shows more maturity. “At the moment, all the goalkeepers are probably afraid to face Dybala,” said Del Piero.

Juventus goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, predicted that Paulo Dybala will become the world's best player, someday. Dybala’s greatness amazed Szczesny. The Polish man then compared him to some of the great players who had been his teammates. “I played with Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, and Mesut Ozil. That means I’ve seen a really great goalscorer in training. However, Dybala is a very special talent. He can be the best player in the world,” said Szczesny as released by Tribalfootball.

Juventus coach, Massimiliano Allegri, praised Dybala as a player who will develop into a world-class player. According to Allegri, Dybala is a great player. “He (Dybala) and Neymar can become two of the best players in the world after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo retire,” said Allegri.

Allegri admitted that Dybala’s presence at Juventus made him happy. “I am happy and very lucky to have him in my team,” said Allegri. “As we progress, he has to keep playing with just two touches. When he plays like that, he is unstoppable. According to Allegri, even though he can still develop again, for now Dybala seems unmatched. He turned into an extraordinary player,” added Allegri.