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Salah’s birthday: What were other African greats doing at 30?

When Eto’o turned 30, in March 2011, he was at the pinnacle of his game.The forward delivered one of the greatest performances of his career on March 16 2011—less than a week after he turned 30—to eliminate Bayern Munich in the Champions League, although Inter were ultimately eliminated by Schalke 04 in the quarter-finals.In the previous two seasons, Eto’o had clinched back-to-back European trebles with Barcelona and Inter, before moving to Anzhi Makhachkala later in 2011.

Samuel Eto’o

Three years older than Eto’o, Drogba was a late bloomer in football, and only enjoyed the finest moment of his career in 2012—at the age of 34.When he turned 30 in 2008, he had already won two Premier League titles, but it was a difficult season for Chelsea, as Drog netted just eight goals in the league.The Blues failed to win any honour in 2008, and were defeated by Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup final.

Didier Drogba

Like Drogba, Kanu enjoyed immense longevity in the sport, playing in English football until he was entering his late 30s.In the summer of 2006, when he turned 30, he had just failed to help West Bromwich Albion remain in the Premier League, having been part of the side that had achieved the great escape in the 2004-05 campaign.While the Baggies’ failure was a major disappointment for Kanu, he would nonetheless go on to enjoy a final memorable chapter of his career with Portsmouth.

Nwankwo Kanu

Even though Mikel ought to have been in his peak in April 2017—when he turned 30—he had actually just come to the end of his glittering decade with Chelsea.The Nigeria midfielder had signed on with Chinese side Tianjin TEDA in January 2017, having been informed by Antonio Conte that he wouldn’t be part of his plans.Despite spells with Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Trabzonspor, Mikel never again reached the levels he enjoyed with the Pensioners.

John Obi Mikel

Essien’s 30th birthday came less than six months after he was part of the Chelsea squad that won the Champions League title, so on paper, he was still at the pinnacle of the sport.However, in reality, the Bison’s prime was long since behind him, as he had been thoroughly ravaged by injuries at this point.He spent the 2012-13 season on loan at Real Madrid, where he enjoyed something of a renaissance under mentor Jose Mourinho.

Michael Essien

Just over two months older than Salah, his Liverpool teammate Mane is coming off the back of a season that was both very similar and very different to that of his Reds colleague...even if it may prove to be his last at Anfield.The pair experienced together the joy and heartbreak of the Merseysiders’ campaign, as they clinched two domestic cups but fell just short in the Champions League and the Premier League.At international level, however, Mane’s 30th birthday comes on the back of some of his greatest successes; inspiring Senegal to their maiden Nations Cup triumph before firing the Teranga Lions to the World Cup at the expense of Salah’s Egypt.

Sadio Mane

Like a few other players on this list, McCarthy’s career highlights came in his 20s, as he won both the Dutch and Portuguese titles, and the Champions League.By 30, however, he was on the comeback trail, and just coming off a magnificent debut season with Blackburn Rovers.In 2006-07, McCarthy scored 18 goals in 36 league outings during his maiden campaign in the Prem, and would follow that up with eight further strikes as he turned 30 in 07-08.

Benni McCarthy

Mahrez turned 30 in early 2021, only months away from winning his third Premier League title.While he did go on to miss out on the Champions League in the final last term, he would add another PL winner’s medal to his extensive trophy haul this season.When Mahrez passed the threshold of his 20s to his 30s, he was excelling as one of the outstanding players in one of the world’s strongest leagues, even winning the Pfa Fans’ Player of the Month award for March ’21.

Riyad Mahrez

Okocha turned 30 at the end of the summer following his first season in the English game with Bolton Wanderers.On one hand, it was a step down from Paris Saint-Germain, but he nonetheless played some of the best football of his career in Lancashire.Despite an injury-hit first campaign, by the time of his birthday in August, Okocha was already a fan favourite and netted the Goal of the Season against West Ham United.

Jay-Jay Okocha

After a tricky 12-13 season, which ended with Yaya’s 30th birthday…and presumably a cake…but Manchester City missing out on the Premier League title, the 13-14 campaign was arguably the greatest of his career.He became only the second central midfielder in the PL to score 20 goals during the course of a league season, as City roared back to top spot and won the League Cup.

Yaya Toure

Salah’s birthday: What were other African greats doing at 30? | Goal.com English Saudi Arabia

As Mohamed Salah hits 30, GOAL’s Ed Dove remembers what other African greats were doing at their 30th birthday.