Mohamed Salah has made history by becoming the 51st player to score 51 goals in European club competitions, cementing his place among the top 10 all-time goal scorers in the UEFA Champions League.

This milestone came during Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over 10-man Lille at Anfield, a result that secured the club’s position in the knockout stage of the competition. Salah’s opening goal, a brilliant curling strike past Lille’s goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, was set up by Curtis Jones, who provided a pinpoint pass to the Egyptian star.

This goal, his third of the season in the Champions League, increased his tally to 51 goals, matching the legendary Thierry Henry on the all-time list.

Salah’s consistency and skill in European football have placed him alongside some of the game’s greatest players, as he now shares the distinction with Henry, who also scored 51 Champions League goals during his illustrious career.

The match itself saw a dramatic turn of events. Lille managed to equalize through Jonathan David after taking advantage of a rebound. However, the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Aïssa Mandi was shown a second yellow card, leaving Lille to fight with a man down.

The game’s turning point came when Harvey Elliott scored the decisive goal, securing Liverpool’s win and maintaining their perfect record in the Champions League this season. The victory meant that Liverpool had won all seven of their group-stage matches, an impressive feat in European football.

After the game, Salah shared his pride in the achievement, saying, “I’m very proud. To be the first player to achieve that for Liverpool means a lot. I’m very happy, but most of all, with the important win.” This statement reflects Salah’s humble approach to his individual success, emphasizing that team victories are his primary focus.

By reaching 51 European goals, Salah joins a select group of footballing icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who top the all-time scoring charts with 141 and 129 goals respectively.

Salah’s remarkable achievement also sees him surpass some of Liverpool’s most legendary figures, such as Ian Rush and Fernando Torres, in terms of European competition goals, further solidifying his place in the club’s storied history.

Fans were quick to celebrate Salah’s record, with many expressing their admiration for his exceptional talent. Some even went as far as calling him “bigger than Pele and Maradona,” highlighting the global impact of his performance and achievements.

Others referred to him as “the greatest winger of all time,” recognizing his skill, consistency, and influence in both domestic and international competitions.

At 32 years old, Salah is in the prime of his career and is enjoying another stellar season. Across all competitions, he has already scored 21 goals and registered 17 assists.

This form comes at a time when there is growing speculation that this may be his final season with Liverpool, as his contract nears its end. Regardless of what the future holds, Salah’s legacy at Liverpool and in European football is already secured.

Mohamed Salah’s achievement of 51 European goals is a testament to his remarkable consistency, skill, and dedication to the sport.

His place among the top goal scorers in Champions League history is a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding contributions to Liverpool and football as a whole.

As he continues to shine on the field, Salah has undoubtedly earned his place among the greatest players in the history of the game.