From the moment Mohamed Salah arrived at Liverpool, fans and pundits alike have debated this question: have Salah won Champions League? The answer is yes — and it’s a chapter in his legacy that blends triumph, agony, and the hunger for more. In this article, AnnuGoal will guide you through Salah’s Champions League journey: how he clinched the title, his performances in finals, his months chasing a second, and what it all means for his place among Europe’s elite.
Salah’s Arrival At Liverpool And Early UCL Ambitions
When Salah joined Liverpool in the summer of 2017, expectations were already high. He entered a club on the ascendant under Jürgen Klopp, one that had recently reached a Champions League final (2017) and aimed to win it again. Right, Salah made his presence felt — scoring in the playoffs, netting against the likes of Maribor, and carrying momentum into the knockout phases. But Liverpool still had obstacles: established European powers like Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as consistent contenders in the English Premier League.
In the 2017-18 campaign, Salah’s attacking flair played a key role in Liverpool reaching the final. He scored important goals and embodied attacking risk and flair — but the final proved cruel. In that 2018 Champions League final, Salah suffered a shoulder injury in a clash with Ramos in the first half and eventually Liverpool lost 3–1 to Real Madrid. Despite the setback, Salah’s UCL credentials had been cemented: he was now a player measured by Europe’s biggest stage.
The 2018-19 Campaign: When Salah Did Win Champions League
The definitive answer to have Salah won Champions League comes from the 2018-19 season, when Liverpool stormed through Europe to lift the trophy. Here’s how it unfolded:
- Knockout dominance: Liverpool dispatched powerhouses like Bayern Munich (in a stunning comeback at Anfield) and then Porto, and Barcelona in the semi-finals (that 4–0 Anfield win over Barça is still legendary).
- Final night against Tottenham: Salah scored in the final — from the penalty spot — in the early minutes to put Liverpool ahead. Although Tottenham sought to fight back, Liverpool held firm and won 2–0. Salah’s composure and execution under pressure silenced doubters.
- Role in the squad: Though he didn’t play every match or always start (managing fitness, rotation, and tactical changes), Salah’s threat on the right wing, ability to stretch defenses, and goals in knockouts made him an essential piece of Klopp’s European puzzle.
Thus, yes — Salah has won the Champions League. That 2019 title remains the only UCL trophy in his pedigree to date.
Mohamed Salah’s Champions League Record & Finals Appearances
To fully appreciate Salah’s UCL career, you need the context beyond that one trophy. Here’s a snapshot of his European résumé:
| Metric | Figure |
| UCL titles won | 1 |
| Champions League finals reached | 1 (won) + 1 (runner-up 2017-18) + 1 (runner-up 2021-22) |
| Goals in UCL | High total among African players, holding records for Liverpool’s UCL goals |
| Key moment | Fastest goal in the 2019 final from early penalty |
Other Final Appearances
- 2017-18 final: Salah was forced off injured; Liverpool lost 3–1 to Real Madrid.
- 2021-22 final: Liverpool reached the final again, only to be beaten 1–0 by Real Madrid. Salah was part of the squad and appeared in that campaign, but the trophy eluded them.
- These finals show how Salah has been close multiple times to a second UCL title — heartbreak, but still consistency at elite level.
Records & Standing
Salah is among the leading African scorers in UEFA Champions League history. He also holds the record for most UCL goals scored for an English club. His consistency in group stages, knockout rounds, and ability to deliver against strong opposition underline that his UCL win is not a fluke but part of sustained excellence.
Why Salah Has Not Won A Second Champions League (Yet)
If have Salah won Champions League is answered “yes,” then the follow-up is: why hasn’t he repeated? Multiple factors explain this:
- Intense competition: Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern, Manchester City — the landscape is littered with loaded squads that rotate and dominate.
- Injuries & form dips: Salah’s seasons have seen periods of fatigue, injury, or tactical rest, which sometimes remove him. Team dynamics: Liverpool itself has had transitions — injuries to Van Dijk, defensive instabilities, or European pressure — that weakened collective performance.
- Luck and timing: In knockout football, small margins decide outcomes: VAR, red cards, away goals (in older formats). Even great players sometimes lose.
In short, Salah’s style brings spectacular moments, but winning Europe repeatedly requires alignment of many variables beyond individual brilliance.
Legacy & Comparisons Among Africa’s Champions League Winners
When assessing Salah’s European legacy, comparisons with fellow African stars who won the UCL figure prominently — Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré show that the continent has produced excellence on Europe’s greatest stage. Salah’s:
- Consistency over many UCL campaigns
- Final impact (scoring in the final)
- Records for African scoring in UCL
- Longevity in staying relevant deep into European seasons
- combine to put him among the top tier of African performers in UEFA competitions.
While some African players have multiple UCLs, Salah still stands tall for his one but memorable title and repeated appearances in elite runs.
What’s Next For Salah In Champions League
Looking ahead, there remains clear ambition. Salah and Liverpool continue to pursue a second UCL title. For the 2025–26 season and beyond, here are areas where he aims to make impact:
- Deeper runs: Liverpool must replicate the structure, defensive solidity, and tactical adaptation that brought success in 2019.
- Scoring in key matches: As always, Salah’s goals in knockouts or final phases could tilt the balance.
- Staying fit and fresh: Managing minutes and rotation is critical in long campaigns.
- Evolution of role: Perhaps shifting slightly — less on pure wing acceleration, more inside or as hybrid attacker — to adapt to a changing squad and aging profile.
Fans and analysts will continue debating if once was enough — but for Salah, the pursuit of another UCL trophy is far.
Conclusion
Have Salah won Champions League? Yes — Mohamed Salah clinched the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool in the 2018-19 season, scoring in the final and cementing his place in European lore. But while that singular triumph answers the question, it also opens new ones: Why hasn’t he repeated? How close has he come since? And will he lift a second one before his time runs out?
At AnnuGoal, we believe Salah’s European story is still unfolding. Keep following with us for match analysis, seasons of Liverpool in Europe, and every twist in Salah’s chase for Champions League glory again. If you’re curious about his UCL goal record, comparisons with other star players, or squad previews, drop us your next topic — let AnnuGoal bring you the full story.
