Salah overtakes Messi in ELO rankings

Mohamed Salah continues to shine in Trabzonspor colours, contributing 9 goals and 4 assists in 11 appearances for a total of 13 direct goal involvements. The 34-year-old Egyptian is averaging more than a goal contribution per match, effectively carrying his team's attacking burden almost single-handedly. His remarkable form has drawn attention not only in the Süper Lig but on the international stage as well, propelling him to the summit of statistical rankings.

In the ELO rating system compiled for players outside the top five European leagues, Salah has now firmly established himself at number one. Adapted from chess, this model factors in the strength of opponents when calculating points, meaning strong performances against tough rivals carry greater weight. Over the past week alone Salah gained 10 points, jumping two places to reach a total of 1,797 points. With the rankings updated on a weekly basis, this surge underlines just how consistent his recent form has been.

Sitting just behind Salah in second place is Lionel Messi, now with Inter Miami, on 1,784 points. Mexican forward Julian Quinones occupies third spot with 1,782 points, while Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa ranks fourth on 1,777 points. Salah's closest challenger from the Süper Lig, Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen, dropped four places to fifth with the same point total. As a result, Salah now holds a 20-point advantage over his nearest domestic rival. Besiktas' Belgian forward Leonard Trossard rounds out the top six with 1,775 points.

Among the top 50 players outside the big five leagues, the Süper Lig boasts eight representatives in total. Besides Salah, Osimhen, and Trossard, Fenerbahce's Mason Greenwood sits at 26th while teammate Nathan Ake ranks 39th. Besiktas midfielder Orkun Kökcü appears at 27th, with Galatasaray duo Rafael Leao and Davinson Sanchez placed 32nd and 45th respectively. Salah remains the sole Trabzonspor player to feature on this prestigious list.