CAF President Ahmad Ahmad has hailed Mohamed Salah’s inclusion in final three for the FIFA Best Player award as ‘a big honour for the African continent’ insisting the Egypt superstar deserves the award.
The leader of Africa’s football governing body says Africa will be offering its strong support the Egypt superstar to clinch the award against some of the big names in world football.
FIFA on Monday revealed that the reigning African Footballer of the Year is among three top players selected in the final three for the biggest individual award in world football
Salah will come up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric for Best Fifa Men’s Player award for 2018.
The winner of the best player award will be unveiled on September 24 in London, the capital of England, during the annual FIFA awards ceremony.
Ahmad says Salah deserves the award thanks to his excellent showing for both his club and country this year.
“What Salah has done is a huge achievement not only for Egypt, but for the entire African continent,” CAF President Ahmad said at the Champions League draw in Cairo on Monday night.
“Salah is a great honour and pride for Africa. We support him in the next stage to win the World Player of the Year award at the expense of Ronaldo and Modric.”
“We strongly support him and we hope he will win the prize especially since he played at an exceptional level this season.”
Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, missed out on a place in the top three.
There was also no place for any member of France’s World Cup winning squad.
Lyon’s Champions League winning duo Ada Hegerberg of Norway and Germay’s Dzsenifer Marozsan are the finalists for Best Fifa Women’s Player, alongside Brazil forward Marta.
Portugal winger Ronaldo, the 2016 and 2017 winner, won a fifth Champions League title with Real Madrid in May before joining Juventus for £99.2m.
Real midfielder Luka Modric was named the World Cup 2018’s player of the tournament as Croatia reached the final against France.
Egypt forward Salah scored 44 goals as Liverpool reached the Champions League final, losing to Real.
Modric beat Ronaldo and Salah to win the Uefa Men’s Player of the Year last week.
Source:CAF
