Abu Dhabi: The entire Arab world is in awe of the exceptional talent from the Middle East — Egyptian star Mohammad Salah.

The striker has gained cult status in Egypt and his hard-earned success and modesty is the talk of the town.

This is clearly a period of transition for Egyptian football and what better time to make it to the biggest football extravaganza than when your ace player has attained global recognition.

Salah has been in the form of his life for Liverpool this season, scoring 44 goals in all competitions. The 25-year-old has walked away with the PFA Player of the Year, as well as the Writer’s Player of the Year and Premier League Player of the Year honours. He was also awarded the Golden Boot after breaking the record for most English Premier League goals scored in a single season. And all this in his first year at Anfield, after moving from Roma for £37 million in the summer.

The biggest accolade of all awaits him come May 26 when Liverpool meet Real Madrid in the final of the Uefa Champions League. If he can get the Reds across the line in that tie, he’ll surely have written his name in golden letters at Anfield.

Real Madrid have already expressed their desire to have Salah on board and he has been heavily linked with a move. Spanish publications have claimed that Salah has been told the club are already looking for a house for his family.

However, Liverpool are not expected to sell Salah, who is under contract until 2022. The think tank of Anfield are expected to offer the 25-year-old a double-your-money deal.

It was Salah’s dramatic penalty against Congo that sealed the most incredible of qualifications for Egypt to join hosts Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia at the World Cup.

Leading Egypt, who were absent from the mega event since 1990, to at least one victory, will be very much on Salah’s mind. A positive result could massively change the sporting scenario in his country and the entire region on the whole.

The Pharaohs are yet to win in four matches at the tournament (two draws and two losses). Salah could also break the national World Cup finals scoring record of two goals set by Abdul Rahman Fawzi in Italy in 1934.

He can also become Egypt’s all-time top scorer having already contributed with 33 goals, sitting joint fourth in the all-time rankings but still way behind Hossam Hassan’s record of 70.

Profile

Mohammad Salah

Born: June 15, 1992 (age 25)

Egypt tally: 33 goals in 57 appearances