Liverpool’s Egyptian forward, Mohamed Salah, has been voted the winner of the BBC African Footballer of the Year Award 2017.
Following a record number of votes, the Liverpool star won ahead of Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Guinean Naby Keita, Sadio Mane of Senegal, and Nigeria’s Victor Moses.
The 25-year-old told BBC Sport: “I am very happy to win this award.
“It’s always a special feeling when you win something. I feel like I had a great year, so I’m very happy.”
Salah, who is the Premier League’s top scorer with 13 goals, has enjoyed a fantastic year for both club and country.
Earlier in this year, the forward was the central figure for Egypt as they finished runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations.
He also had contributed to all seven of the goals that took Egypt to their first World Cup since 1990 – assisting two goals and scoring five, including the stoppage-time penalty against Congo that qualified them for Russia.
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He said: “I want to be the best Egyptian ever so I work hard.
“I always follow my own way and I want everyone in Egypt to follow my way.”
Salah’s form at Liverpool FC has been as impressive as it has in internationals.
In Italy, he scored 15 goals and contributed to 11 others as he helped Roma finish second in Serie A.
“I would like to thank my Liverpool team-mates and I also had a good season with Roma so I have to thank my team-mates there and my team-mates in the national team,” he added.
