Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah continues to etch his name in the annals of African football, cementing his status as one of the game's greatest legends. This comes after he achieved a new and historic record during his active participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations currently being held in Morocco, where he brilliantly led his national team to the semi-finals following a thrilling and hard-fought victory over Ivory Coast.
The decisive night in Agadir
In a match that captivated Arab and African fans, Mohamed Salah scored the decisive third goal for Egypt in a 3-2 victory. The epic encounter took place yesterday (Saturday) at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir, Morocco, before a packed crowd. Salah not only led the charge on the pitch but also channeled his extensive experience with Liverpool into a potent attacking force that secured Egypt's passage to the semi-finals against a formidable opponent with a long history of rivalry with Egyptian football.
A historic record that even legends couldn't achieve
According to the official account of the Egyptian Football Association, Mohamed Salah has become the first player in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations to score against 11 different national teams. This unprecedented achievement reflects the Egyptian star's consistency and brilliance across multiple editions of the tournament, surpassing even continental legends who never managed to score against such a diverse range of opponents. This highlights Salah's ability to adapt and score against various African footballing styles.
Chasing the all-time top scorer and equaling the "Dean"
On the domestic front, Mohamed Salah equaled the record of Egyptian football legend and current national team coach Hossam Hassan, becoming the second all-time top scorer for Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations. With this tally, only the late Hassan El-Shazly, the iconic Tersana player, surpasses Salah, holding the all-time top spot with 12 goals – a record that is now very close to being broken thanks to Salah's prolific scoring form.
The Golden Boot battle and the challenges of an eighth title
In the race for the top scorer title in the current edition (2025), Mohamed Salah shares second place with the dangerous Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, each with four goals. Meanwhile, the battle for the top spot is heating up, with Moroccan striker Brahim Diaz currently leading with five goals, benefiting from home advantage.
The Egyptian public hopes that this individual brilliance of Salah will be the gateway to regaining the African throne, which has been absent from the Pharaohs' coffers since 2010, as the Egyptian national team seeks to enhance its record and win the eighth star, drawing strength from the experience of its captain and the desire of the current generation to compensate for the failures of the final matches in previous editions.
