Didier Drogba, former captain of FIFA Coins the Ivory Coast National Team, said that the just-concluded election of the Navy in South Africa in the BBC's election in the year of 1717 has been a vivid example. Salah beat Aubameyang, Sadio-Mane, Viktor-Moses, and Nabi-Keita in the polls.

Drogba was the 2009 African Footballer of the Year and he and Salah had also been team mates in Chelsea in 2014. Drogba told the BBC: "We all saw Salah's performance in Egypt and Liverpool. He has grown and has become the leader and core of the team."

"I can know from his celebration what he's thinking now. He's not overly crazy, just sticking his tongue out, as if to say 'yes, that's me.'"

Drogba also believes Salah's performance will be Egypt's key player in next year's World Cup in Russia. Drogba said: "He will bring what he learned in Liverpool to the Egyptian national team and bring it to next year's World Cup. He can bring leadership and a lot of experience for the team."