MENA Sports Wrap: Legend Mo Salah crowned 2025 PFA Player of the Year for record third time

Egyptian legend Mohamed Salah won his third-ever PFA Player of the Year trophy following his record-breaking performance with Liverpool last season, while Neil Robertson stunned Ronnie O'Sullivan in the Saudi Snooker Masters.

Egypt, meanwhile, failed to qualify for the AfroBasket semi-finals after being knocked out by Cameroon.

Mo Salah makes history with third PFA Player of the Year award

Liverpool’s talisman Mo Salah was crowned PFA Player of the Year for 2025 on Tuesday at a star-studded ceremony held in Manchester, cementing himself as one of the Premier League's all-time greats

The Egyptian won the trophy for a record-breaking third time, having previously won it in 2018 and 2022, becoming only the third non-European player to take the prize.

The PFA Player of the Year award is presented to the player judged to be the best in English football for that year, and is voted for by fellow players.

Tuesday night’s award caps off a stellar season for the Egyptian when he helped Liverpool win the 2024-25 Premier League title, pipped Erik Isak and Erling Haaland to the Golden Boot, and was awarded Premier League Player of the Season.

During the Reds’ title-winning campaign, Salah also broke several league records in the process, when he netted 34 goals and provided 23 assists from 52 appearances across all competitions.

Salah’s individual talent was recognised more than once as he was named in the PFA’s team of the season, along with teammates Virgil Van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.

When accepting the award from Liverpool’s all-time top scorer, Ian Rush, Salah reflected on his career, his initial start in Egypt and struggles at Chelsea a decade ago.

"It’s something that makes me so proud, it’s an incredible feeling. I want to thank everyone who voted for me. Doing this at the age of 33 is incredible," he said.

"I remember ten years ago, I didn’t make it at Chelsea. When you go somewhere and you don’t make it, it’s always on your mind. I look at myself. A guy coming from Egypt, making it to the top level and making history."

Salah also reflected on his title-winning bout with Liverpool, saying it was his best season at the club, and even his career.

"To win the league, I'm glad we managed to do that, and hopefully it will continue this year. I found always a way to feel hungry and just need more," he added.

The Reds, who have already started the season with a win against Bournemouth, will look to defend their title in 2026.

Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters a success with players

The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters concluded with a thrilling end, as Australian Neil Robertson saw off Ronnie O'Sullivan's epic run in the Middle East's leading snooker tournament to win the competition.

In a nail-biting match in Jeddah, Robertson was up 7 frames to 2 before O'Sullivan made a comeback to lead 9-8. 

The final ended with a 10-9 win for the Australian, who also takes home a £500,000 prize, one of the biggest pots in the game.

Robertson said the dramatic Saudi masters victory might eclipse his 2010 World Championship win, widely viewed as the most prestigious tournament in snooker. 

"I think it probably surpasses the World Championship," he said.

O'Sullivan is another fan of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, and appeared to have found his form again after a recent rocky run.

Despite finishing as runner-up, O'Sullivan still made it an unforgettable tournament when he became the first player in snooker history to score two 147s in a single session, pocketing a £147,000 reward.

This was only the second Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, the fourth edition of the flagship 'Triple Crown' events.

It also marks a return of ranking snooker to the Middle East for the first time since the one-off 2008 Bahrain Championship, which Robertson also won.

O'Sullivan appeared to have refound his love for the game after recent struggles, with a joyous response from the Englishman to his double maximum break.

"I don't think he has ever been like that after a match," presenter Ken Doherty said about the snooker legend.

"When he came into the studio, we were having a good laugh with him, Ronnie was happy, was laughing his head off and normally he downplays everything, but he seemed really in a good place which was great to see."

O'Sullivan has spoken about his love for Saudi Arabia and recently opened a snooker academy in Riyadh.

Egypt crash out of African basketball tournament, ending Arab hopes

The Egyptian national basketball team missed out on reaching the AfroBasket semi-finals following a heavy 95-68 defeat to Cameroon on Thursday, ending hopes for an Arab medal in the continental championship.

The Egyptian national team did not perform as well as expected, and were stunned by Cameroon's near-total dominance.

Cameroon’s overpowering performance and the Pharaohs’ struggle to cope with their adversary’s pressure contributed to the point difference reaching over 20 points.

The first period saw the Egyptian side lack in accuracy when it came to shooting, making it easier for Cameroon to take a comfortable lead. The second half saw Egypt improve their offense but still lack in their defensive capabilities.

The third and final half, however, saw Cameroon outperform Egypt and eventually winning the bout.

Leading the charge for Cameroon were Fabien Ateba and Jeremiah Hill, who delivered standout performances to seal their team’s passage to the last four.

Ateba scored 26 points, while Hill added 20 points, with the duo combining to dismantle the Egyptian defence.

As far as other Arab representation was concerned, the Tunisia and Libya teams were eliminated in the quarter-final and first round playoffs, respectively. 

Egypt last won the competition over four decades ago, in 1983. The team has won AfroBasket a total of five times, with three of the titles under the Arab United Republic.