(Photo) Mohamed Salah skips CAF Awards again and sparks debate on Africa’s biggest football night | OneFootball

Egyptian captain skips Rabat ceremony amid another year without the trophy

(Photo) Mohamed Salah skips CAF Awards again and sparks debate on Africa’s biggest football night

Mohamed Salah Liverpool star and captain of Egypt’s national team was notably absent from the 2025 CAF Awards ceremony held on Wednesday evening in Rabat, Morocco an event that saw Achraf Hakimi crowned African Player of the Year for the first time in his career.

The ceremony attended by high profile figures including Gianni Infantino, Patrice Motsepe and Nasser Al Khelaifi celebrated the best performers on the continent from January to October 2025.

Hakimi won the award ahead of finalists Mohamed Salah & Victor Osimhen, yet both of his competitors chose not to attend the gala.

Earlier in the morning, Salah published photo at home with his daughter Makka signalling that he would not be travelling to Rabat — a gesture that effectively confirmed his absence.

A familiar pattern

This is not the first time Salah has skipped the African awards ceremony. Historically the Egyptian star has rarely attended when he knows he is not winning the prize even in years when he was leading contender or finished runner up.

Salah won the CAF African Player of the Year award twice in his career, 2017 & 2018 but notably did not attend ceremonies where the award went to others — a pattern mirrored in 2025.

His behaviour extends beyond CAF events: Salah has also skipped the Ballon d’Or gala in years when he was informed beforehand that he would not be among the top winners.

Mixed fan reactions