When it comes to modern football, there are few names that get the same reaction and awe as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. They have consistently dominated the last two decades – and they’ve set a benchmark that other players can only aspire to.
Then there’s Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s Egyptian King, who has been a hurricane in the Premier League – and when you look at this season, he literally scores and assists every single game. But is he up there with Messi and Ronaldo?
Let’s take a look…
His Rise to Stardom
His journey to the top has been anything but conventional. He didn’t set the world alight when playing for Chelsea early in his career, but then he went to Fiorentina and AS Roma in Serie A – and his reputation got better. However, it was his move to Liverpool in 2017 that was the real turning point.
In his first season at the Kop, he literally shattered records – scoring 32 goals in the Premier League— and broke the record for most goals in a 38-game season. Since then, he has been Liverpool’s biggest names – and has helped them win the Premier League title, UEFA Champions League, and all sorts of other titles.
The Stats
Now, let’s take a look at the actual numbers…
Goal Scoring
When it comes to the number of goals scored, there’s no doubt that Salah is up there with the best. With over 190 goals for Liverpool in all competitions thus far (and more being scored every game), he is nothing if not consistent.
However, Messi and Ronaldo are somewhere else completely in terms of career totals. Both players have scored over 800 – over nearly two decades of play. So, while Salah’s numbers are impressive, he still has a long way to go in terms of longevity and totals.
Assists and Playmaking
One area where Messi is great is his playmaking – with an incredible vision and ability to create opportunities. Indeed, his assist numbers rival those of even the very best midfield maestros. Then there’s Ronaldo – and although he’s less of a playmaker, he’s still right up there.
Salah, on the other hand, is a well-rounded attacker and he’s improved his assist numbers over the years. He has a stunning combination of pace, skill, and intelligence that makes him a double threat, but right now, he doesn’t quite have that all-encompassing influence that Messi has on a game.
Trophies and Overall Impact
Overall Team Success
Salah played a huge role in Liverpool’s success under Jürgen Klopp. Some of the trophies he helped his team to include:
- UEFA Champions League 2018-19: He scored in the final to help Liverpool lift the trophy.
- Premier League 2019-20: He was a massive help in ending Liverpool’s 30-year title drought.
- Other trophies: He’s also won the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and domestic cups with his team.
Messi and Ronaldo, however, have also led their teams to lots of trophies, including many league titles, Champions League wins – and they’re always favourites for Ballon d’Or awards.
Individual Awards
Thus far, Salah has won the Premier League Golden Boot numerous times and has been named African Player of the Year twice. But then there’s Messi and Ronaldo who have literally dominated the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards for over a decade.
Performance on the International Stage
Salah’s impact on the international stage is undeniable. He literally carried Egypt into the 2018 World Cup and multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. However, Egypt will never perform as well as Messi’s and Ronaldo’s home countries, which will hinder him in that sense.
Conclusion
Mo Salah is one of the best players of his generation – no argument. He scores goals like they’re going out of fashion… and whenever you look at Premier League or UEFA Champions League odds, he’s always up there, in line for the Golden Boot.
However, he hasn’t yet achieved the same longevity and global influence as Messi and Ronaldo. That said, his journey is far from over and if he carries on like this, we could be having a very different conversation in a few years time.
