THE PHARAOH

 

Image Credit- Liverpool F.C. Instagram Page

Author- Shubham Priyadarshi 

When Mohammed Salah signed for Liverpool back in 2017, there was hope, but still no one could have anticipated what he will end up doing. He scored 44 goals for Reds that season, as a winger. He would have certainly won the Ballon D’or, had it not been for an injury at the hands of Sergio Ramos. Real Madrid won the Champions League, and Luka Modric won the Ballon D’or. Salah was labelled as one season wonder by the press. 

Over the next three years, this “one season wonder” averaged 27 goals per season, helping Liverpool to win their 6th Champions League and 19th Premier League title, the latter coming after a period of 30 long years. However, the talk of Salah being the best player in the world became talk of yesterday. If anything, he was not being respected for whatever he was contributing. 

But this season, Mo Salah, as he is fondly called by Scousers, is playing like a man possessed. 15 goals in 12 games, and he has already scored more than half the goals in each of three seasons in quarter of the game he has played. Still, the mainstream sports media is not discussing his ridiculous consistency, perhaps because he doesn't appeal to the masses.   Jurgen Klopp’s teams have never been about individuals, but even then, there is no denying that right now, Mohammad Salah is the best player in the world.

LES BLEUS ARE CHAMPIONS AGAIN

 

Image Credit- Sportspromedia

After an early exit in the UEFA European Championship, questions were being raised upon the abilities of the French National Side. However the French answered their critics in style by winning the 2nd edition of the UEFA Nations League. 

The second edition of the UEFA Nations League took place in Italy in the first week of October, 2021. Spain, France, Italy and Belgium were the 4 teams who made into the top 4 of the tournament.  The first semi-final took place between Italy and Spain at Milan. In the first half of the game Ferran Torres scored a brace and the Spanish were 2-0 up. In the second half Pellegrini scored, but it was not enough as the Spanish won the game 2-1. 

The second semi-final was played in Turin between France and Belgium. At the end of first half Belgium were 2-0 up. However in the second half, the French made an incredible come-back by scoring 3 goals [Courtesy- Benzema, Mbappe, Theo Hernandez] The final was set. 

The final took place in San Siro, Milan. The Spanish scored the first goal in 64th minute of the game. However just after 2 minutes Benzema equalized.  Eventually in the 80th minute of the game Mbappe scored the 2nd goal and now French had a lead. In the last 10 minutes Spanish tried their best to score, but failed. 

The French lifted their first UEFA Nations League trophy. Karim Benzema who made a comeback into the French National Side after serving 5 years of ban was awarded the man of the match trophy for his incredible performance in the final. 

[The 3rd place game was played between Italy and  Belgium in which Italy emerged as winners].