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It’s too early to compare Mohamed Salah to world greats like Ronaldinho
For Salah to reach the same heights as the likes as Ronaldo, Messi or Ronaldinho, his performances have to start translating into trophies at Anfield
It’s fair to say that Mohamed Salah made a massive impact on his return to the Premier League last season.
The 26-year-old won the 2017/18 Golden Boot award with a record-breaking 32-goal haul for Liverpool, sparking talk that he was on the same level as the likes Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
However, he still has some way to go before he can be placed amongst such lofty company.
Football’s top two stars have won trophies galore during their careers, while Salah’s solitary league title success came in Switzerland with Basel back in 2013.
His goals for the Reds last term were undoubtedly a personal triumph, but Liverpool ultimately ended the campaign empty-handed.
True greats inspire their teams to trophies.
In fairness to Salah, a quick comparison with former Brazil superstar Ronaldinho suggests he is on right path.
Salah has currently scored 122 goals in 304 career appearances (average one every 2.49 games), compared to 196 in 529 (one every 2.69) for Ronaldinho.
However, when you factor in the Brazilian’s two La Liga titles, one Serie A win, a Champions League success, a World Cup triumph and numerous trophies in his homeland, it’s easy to see why it’s far too early to start comparing Salah with some of the world’s finest-ever players.
Ronaldinho’s achievements in the game influenced a new generation of stars, both in the Premier League and further afield.
Former Liverpool playmaker Coutinho has admitted to idolising Ronaldinho, joining the likes of Paul Pogba, Thiago Alcantara, Neymar, Dele Alli, Dimitri Payet and Gabriel Jesus as players who hold the Brazilian in high-esteem.
While Salah may currently be inspiring young Liverpool and Egypt fans, it’s debatable whether a single 32-goal season in the Premier League will make much of ripple elsewhere.
If, as seems likely, Salah continues to resist overtures from the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, his hopes of becoming a world great are intrinsically linked to Liverpool’s fortunes over the next few years.
Reds’ legend Kenny Dalglish is rightly recognised as a footballing great because he helped Liverpool achieve repeated success.
For Salah to reach the same heights as the likes as Ronaldo, Messi, Ronaldinho or Dalglish, his performances have to start translating into trophies at Anfield over the next few years.
Salah is an extremely talented player. A great one? Not just yet.
