# Mohamed Salah and Mariona Caldentey: PFA Player of the Year Winners 2024/25
In a remarkable football season, Mohamed Salah and Mariona Caldentey have been distinguished with the prestigious PFA Player of the Year awards for the 2024/25 campaign. Their achievements represent not just individual excellence but also the culmination of painstaking dedication and adaptability in an evolving football landscape.
Mohamed Salah: Redefining Excellence in the Premier League
At 33 years of age, Mohamed Salah has transcended the typical expectations placed upon footballers in their later years. Securing his third PFA Player of the Year award, a record in the competition’s history, Salah has played an integral role in Liverpool’s successful title campaign this season.
Salah's individual statistics are impressive: he registered 29 goals alongside 18 assists in league play, amounting to a remarkable 47 goal involvements. This figure ties him with historical records established by legends Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole in the Premier League, despite those records coming from a 42-match framework. Such achievements underscore Salah’s consistency and ability to perform at the highest level over a sustained period (https://news.bet365.com/en-gb/article/mohamed-salah-pfa-players-player-of-the-year/2025081913492421946?utm_source=openai" alt="https://news.bet365.com/en-gb/article/mohamed-salah-pfa-players-player-of-the-year/2025081913492421946?utm_source=openai" target="_blank">news.bet365.com).
Under the management of Arne Slot, Salah's role evolved as he adapted to a central position, wherein he not only scored goals but also helped shape the play. His tactical flexibility enabled him to become a key figure in orchestrating Liverpool's attacking strategies, thereby contributing significantly to their overall performance.
Throughout the season, speculation surrounding a potential transfer to the Saudi Pro League emerged, which could have significantly changed the trajectory of his career. However, Salah's steadfast commitment to Liverpool was demonstrated when he signed a two-year contract extension. This decision put to rest any doubts regarding his future and affirmed his loyalty to the club (https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/soccermo-salah-talks-with-saudi-league-officials-were-serious-2025-05-26/?utm_source=openai" alt="https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/soccermo-salah-talks-with-saudi-league-officials-were-serious-2025-05-26/?utm_source=openai" target="_blank">reuters.com).
Mariona Caldentey: Embracing New Challenges
Conversely, Mariona Caldentey's move from Barcelona to Arsenal marked a new chapter in her career, one filled with fresh challenges and opportunities. Having achieved significant success over a decade in Spain, Caldentey’s transition to the Women's Super League has proven fruitful, culminating in her receiving the PFA Women’s Player of the Year award.
In her inaugural season in England, Caldentey showcased her versatility as a playmaker, contributing nine goals and five assists to help propel Arsenal to a commendable second-place finish in the league. Her prominent performance in the Women’s Champions League was particularly noteworthy, as her efforts were crucial in leading Arsenal to their first final in 18 years, a feat that had been a long time coming for the club (https://elpais.com/deportes/futbol/2025-05-20/mariona-caldentey-con-el-barca-no-hay-secreto-sabes-lo-que-va-a-hacer-pero-lo-dificil-es-como-lo-paras.html?utm_source=openai" alt="https://elpais.com/deportes/futbol/2025-05-20/mariona-caldentey-con-el-barca-no-hay-secreto-sabes-lo-que-va-a-hacer-pero-lo-dificil-es-como-lo-paras.html?utm_source=openai" target="_blank">elpais.com).
Caldentey faced her former club Barcelona in the Champions League final, an encounter that held significant emotional weight. Her familiarity with Barcelona’s tactics and her insightful play proved instrumental in securing a win for Arsenal, illustrating her capacity to perform under pressure while leveraging her knowledge of the opposition.
Tactical Developments and Strategic Decisions
The journeys of both Salah and Caldentey throughout the season were characterised by critical tactical decisions that impacted their teams’ fortunes. For Salah, adapting to a new tactical framework under Arne Slot required a shift in his approach on the pitch. His ability to embrace this change and execute it effectively highlighted his professionalism and skill, which were vital to Liverpool’s campaign.
Meanwhile, Caldentey's choice to depart from the comfort of Barcelona to join Arsenal in the unpredictable environment of the WSL was a significant gamble. Successfully integrating into a new team structure demonstrated her adaptability and talented skill set, further solidifying her reputation as a top-tier footballer.
Future Aspirations
As both players prepare for the upcoming season, the primary challenge will be maintaining their high standards of performance. For Salah, this will involve leading Liverpool in their quest to defend their title and enhance his legacy further. Caldentey will have the opportunity to build upon her strong debut season, aiming to secure domestic accolades for Arsenal alongside pursuing additional European success.
Their ongoing narratives of perseverance reflect the broader themes of ambition and adaptability inherent in football. Salah and Caldentey exemplify the drive for excellence that continues to inspire fans and fellow athletes alike.
## Salah and Caldentey's Historic PFA Triumphs
- https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/salah-wins-pfa-player-year-award-unprecedented-third-time-2025-08-19/?utm_source=openai" alt="https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/salah-wins-pfa-player-year-award-unprecedented-third-time-2025-08-19/?utm_source=openai" target="_blank">Salah wins PFA Player of the Year award for unprecedented third time
- https://elpais.com/deportes/futbol/2025-05-20/mariona-caldentey-con-el-barca-no-hay-secreto-sabes-lo-que-va-a-hacer-pero-lo-dificil-es-como-lo-paras.html?utm_source=openai" alt="https://elpais.com/deportes/futbol/2025-05-20/mariona-caldentey-con-el-barca-no-hay-secreto-sabes-lo-que-va-a-hacer-pero-lo-dificil-es-como-lo-paras.html?utm_source=openai" target="_blank">Mariona Caldentey: "Con el Barça no hay secreto, sabes lo que va a hacer pero lo difícil es cómo lo paras"
- https://as.com/futbol/femenino/supermario-a-pasarse-el-juego-n/?utm_source=openai" alt="https://as.com/futbol/femenino/supermario-a-pasarse-el-juego-n/?utm_source=openai" target="_blank">'SuperMario', a pasarse el juego