Mohamed Salah’s Historic PFA Triumph: A Heartfelt Tribute to Diogo Jota
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah poses with the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award during the 2024/25 Professional Footballers’ Association awards at the Opera House in Manchester, August 19, 2025. — AFP pic
Mohamed Salah etched his name into football history on August 19, 2025, becoming the first player to win the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Men’s Player of the Year award three times. The Egyptian’s remarkable 2024/25 season, where he scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists, propelled Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title. Yet, in a moment that captured hearts worldwide, Salah dedicated this prestigious honor to his late teammate Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car accident just over a month ago, making the accolade profoundly emotional.
Salah’s third PFA award, following victories in 2017/18 and 2021/22, cements his status as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats. His contributions last season were pivotal, with Liverpool clinching the title with four games to spare. The 33-year-old’s blend of clinical finishing and creative playmaking earned him not only the PFA crown but also the Football Writers’ Association and Premier League Player of the Year awards. His inclusion in the 2024/25 PFA Premier League Team of the Year alongside teammates Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister underscores Liverpool’s dominance, further highlighted by new signing Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth.
However, the spotlight on Salah’s achievement was overshadowed by his poignant dedication to Jota, who lost his life alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in northern Spain on July 3, 2025. The tragedy, occurring just days after Jota’s wedding, sent shockwaves through the football world. Salah, visibly emotional, said, “They gave it to me, but I want to give it to my late teammate,” referring to Jota, whose No. 20 shirt Liverpool retired in his honor. The gesture resonated deeply, reflecting the bond forged over five years of shared battles at Anfield, where the duo played 151 matches together, combining for 19 direct goal involvements.
Jota’s death cast a somber shadow over Liverpool’s season, with tributes pouring in from fans and players alike. The club’s first home game against Bournemouth on August 15, 2025, saw an emotional outpouring, with Salah in tears as fans sang Jota’s name and unveiled mosaics reading “DJ20” and “AS30.” Salah’s trademark shark celebration, a nod to Jota’s signature move, after scoring in that 4-2 victory, was a tearful homage. The “Forever 20” emblem now adorns Liverpool’s shirts, a permanent tribute to a player who won the Premier League, FA Cup, and two League Cups during his tenure.
Salah’s dedication of the PFA award to Jota speaks to the depth of their friendship and the profound impact of his loss. “Diogo was more than a teammate,” Salah said, reflecting on their daily interactions and Jota’s infectious energy. The gesture also highlights Salah’s leadership, as he used his moment of personal triumph to honor a fallen friend, setting an example for younger players like Ibrahima Konate, who face their own uncertainties. The PFA ceremony, attended by stars like Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, who won Young Player of the Year, and Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey, who claimed the women’s award, became a platform for unity in grief.
For Liverpool fans, Salah’s tribute is a reminder of the club’s ethos: “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” As Salah continues to dazzle on the pitch, his dedication to Jota ensures the Portuguese forward’s legacy endures. This historic third PFA award, while a testament to Salah’s brilliance, will forever be intertwined with a heartfelt promise to honor a teammate whose light was extinguished too soon, making it a victory for both the player and the brotherhood that defines Liverpool.
