CAIRO, Sept 25, 2018 (News Wires) - Egyptian Youth and Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhi said football star Mohamed Salah became an icon for Egyptians and a source of their joy. In statements to MENA on Tuesday, he lauded Salah's wining of Puskas award as an honor to all Egyptians. Salah's achievements gave a positive impression about sports in Egypt, he said, highlighting Salah's sublime morals. He said Salah made history that would be added to the Egyptian sports record. He referred to the ministry's efforts to support promising athletes in various governorates. Salah won the FIFA Puskas Award for 2018 for the best goal scored. He was presented with the award for the best goal scored between July 2017 and July 2018 during The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in London. Salah's effort in the Merseyside derby, in which he weaved through multiple Everton defenders before curling the ball into the top corner, was judged to come out on top. Gareth Bale's overhead kick against Liverpool in the Champions League final was also a contender for the award, along with Cristiano Ronaldo's similarly acrobatic effort against his now current club Juventus. Liverpool took to social media to congratulate their Egyptian star, while releasing a video showing every angle of his Merseyside derby strike. With success in the award for the best goal, and having been nominated in the best player category, the 26-year-old says he is hungry for more individual recognition. "I'm sure it is not the last nomination because I always want to be better than last season," said Salah. "My favourite goal was the one against Everton because it was my first derby, but all of them were very important." "[Playing for Egypt in the World Cup] was one of the best moments in my life and this is the dream for us as Egyptians, and human beings, to play at the tournament."
