Liverpool's Egyptian winger missed out a chance to win another achievement this year as Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric was named the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) best player of the year award on Thursday. This year's CAF and the PFA player of the year, was shortlisted for the award with the Croatian midfielder and the Portuguese ace Cristiano Ronaldo. The 26-year-old Egyptian international was the first Egyptian and African player to be tipped for the glorious award. "It is a great honor to be tipped for this award," Salah said in the ceremony held in Monaco just before announcing the name of the winner. "It is the first time that an Egyptian player features in the shortlist. "Fans in Egypt see me as their idol similar in Arab and African counties." "It has put me sometimes under pressure but fans' confidence helps me to ease pressure." Salah produced a strong performance last season with Liverpool, scoring 44 goals in all competitions in the Premier League side and also reached the Champions League final. He finished as the elite Premier League's top scorer with 32 goals - a record tally in a 38-game top flight campaign. His personnel achievements were not sufficient to win the UEFA award, as Modric won the award after the 31-year-old Croatian star helped Madrid this year win a third straight Champions League title, and fourth in five seasons, before leading his country to the World Cup final in Moscow. Modric was chosen in a vote held by Champions League coaches and select journalists across Europe.
