Even those who witnessed Mohamed Salah's impressive rise in Serie A would have struggled to anticipate what a stunning impact he'd have upon his return to the Premier League. Ousted from the competition by - yes, you guessed it! - José Mourinho during his second reign at Chelsea, the forward returned to the competition with a point to prove. And, boy did he deliver.
The Ballon d'Or - or as it should have perhaps been renamed, 'The Ronaldo-Messi Yearly Back Slapping Award' - will be taken home by one of eight footballing superstars on Monday evening, and Liverpool sensation Salah is quite rightfully among the runners and riders.