'Better human than a footballer': Mo Salah makes it to Time's 100 most influential people of 2019
Host of HBO’s Last Week Tonight With John Oliver calls Liverpool striker 'iconic figure' for Egyptians, Muslims
PHOTO: AFP
Egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah received a heartfelt tribute from John Oliver, the host of HBO’s Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, as he made it to Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2019.
The Liverpool striker is also one of six Time 100 cover stars.
"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," Oliver wrote in his tribute.
He then went to praise the Liverpool striker for the humility he portrays even after being an 'iconic figure'.
"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."
Salah entered limelight with his performances for the Premier League club Liverpool during the 2018-19 season.
The 26-year-old went on to the win the FIFA Puskas Award, PFA Players' Player of the Year award, FWA Footballer of the Year award and African Player of the Year award in 2018.
He then defended the African Player of the Year award in 2019.
All the while, he also won the Premier League golden boot in 2017 for his scoring spree with Liverpool.
"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," continued Oliver.
"I absolutely love him."
The Liverpool striker is also one of six Time 100 cover stars.
"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," Oliver wrote in his tribute.
He then went to praise the Liverpool striker for the humility he portrays even after being an 'iconic figure'.
WATCH: Klopp lauds 'fantastic' Salah after stunning strike
"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."
Salah entered limelight with his performances for the Premier League club Liverpool during the 2018-19 season.
The 26-year-old went on to the win the FIFA Puskas Award, PFA Players' Player of the Year award, FWA Footballer of the Year award and African Player of the Year award in 2018.
He then defended the African Player of the Year award in 2019.
All the while, he also won the Premier League golden boot in 2017 for his scoring spree with Liverpool.
"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," continued Oliver.
"I absolutely love him."