Egyptians and Arabs celebrate Mohamed Salah winning Premier League medal
Liverpool lifted the English Premier League title on Wednesday, after a 30 year wait to regain the country's top football prize.
The Reds defeated Chelsea 5-3 on the night, but had already wrapped up the title on 25 June.
Fans were forced to celebrate from home and on the streets, as coronavirus restrictions meant the trophy ceremony took place behind closed doors.
But those on Merseyside, in the northwest of England, were not the only ones partying.
Millions of Arabs around the world also joined the celebrations after Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah, draped in Egypt’s flag, collected his winners medal - becoming the first Egyptian to do so.
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Although Salah won the league with Chelsea in 2015, he did not play in enough matches to qualify for a medal. Instead he was handed a replica medal by the West London club for his contribution that season.
On Wednesday, the 28-year-old was congratulated by hundreds of Egyptians on social media, including Egypt’s Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat, and actor Youssef el-Sharif.
Translation: Egypt flag on the podium, thank you Mohamed Salah
Salah was also hailed by his national teammate Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan, commonly known as Trezeguet.
Another rising Egyptian star in the Premier League, Trezeguet scored a vital goal for Aston Villa in a 1-0 win over Arsenal on Tuesday, which took his club outside the relegation zone.
In an interview with FIFA earlier this week, Egypt’s national team coach Hossam El Badry said: “What Salah has achieved so far makes us so proud of him. He’s reached the highest level and has become an icon for Egyptians. It is no exaggeration to say he’s considered a role model in the Arab World and Africa.”
Others also hailed Salah as an example for Arabs and Africans alike.
Since joining Liverpool, Salah has won the Premier League’s top individual prize - the PFA Players' Player of the Year - two African Footballer of the Year awards and two Premier League Golden Boots, for the most goals in a season.
His regular goalscoring has earned Salah the adoration of Liverpool fans, who regularly sing songs about his Egyptian and Muslim background.
Popular chants include (to the tune of the James anthem Sit Down): “Mo Salah, Mo Salah, running down the wing. Salah, Salah, Salah, Egyptian King!” and (to the tune of Dodgy's Good Enough) “If he’s good enough for you, he’s good enough for me. If he scores another few, then I’ll be Muslim too."
The Egyptian's own response to getting his hands on the Premier League trophy was typically humble. "I did say it was dream come true," he tweeted.
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