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Egypt and Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah has been listed in TIME Magazine’s 2019 “100 Most Influential People” in the world.
The Egyptian, who made the list for the first time, is the only male footballer to be included in this year’s list and was named under the “Titans” label alongside the likes of Lebron James, Mark Zuckerberg, Tiger Woods, and Alex Morgan.
The inclusion of Mohamed Salah in the list represents another milestone in what has been a historic year for the Liverpool winger after being named African Footballer of the Year and PFA Player of the Season, as well as coming third in the award for the Best FIFA Men’s Player.
He also helped Liverpool reach the UEFA Champions League final, which they lost to Real Madrid, and his side is currently sitting top of the Premier League table with only four games to go.
Photo: James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images
Speaking on Mohamed Salah, English TV host John Oliver said: “Mo Salah is a better human being than he is a football player. And he’s one of the best football players in the world.
“You’d be hard-pressed to find a professional athlete in any sport less affected by their success or status than Mo, which is incredible because I can’t imagine the kind of pressure that comes with the intensity of adoration he receives.
“Mo is an iconic figure for Egyptians, Scousers and Muslims the world over, and yet he always comes across as a humble, thoughtful, funny man who isn’t taking any of this too seriously.
Photo: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
“As a footballer, he plays with an infectious joy. I’ve always wondered what it would feel like to be able to play as well as him, and watching his face light up after he does something incredible, you get the reassuring sense that it’s exactly as fun as you’d want it to be.
“I absolutely love him,” Oliver added.
Salah will have decisive final weeks as his side are currently competing for the Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League.
