Former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate received the PFA Merit Award in recognition of his lasting contributions to football and his achievements with the national team.
Salah, 33, made history as the first player to win the PFA’s top individual honour three times. The Egyptian winger was instrumental in Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning campaign last season.
Reflecting on his rise from humble beginnings, Salah said: “Of course I wanted to be a footballer, to be famous and support my family — but when you’re still in Egypt, you don’t think about the big stuff. As you grow, your ambitions grow too. You begin to see the bigger picture.”
The Liverpool forward finished the 2024–25 Premier League season as the top scorer, with 29 goals and 18 assists.
He was selected ahead of a strong shortlist that included Liverpool teammate Alexis Mac Allister, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, Chelsea forward Cole Palmer, and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice.
Salah’s outstanding season also earned him the 2024–25 Premier League Player of the Season award, as well as the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year title.
Moreover, Arsenal midfielder Mariona Caldentey has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association women’s player of the year, with her new team-mate Olivia Smith awarded the young player award.
