Mohamed Salah has consistently proved the doubters wrong since his high-profile move from AS Roma to Liverpool in the summer of 2017.
At first, he was described as a Chelsea flop who couldn't cut it once required to compete in England. Then, he was described as a one-season wonder after breaking the Premier League record for most goals scored in a 38-game campaign.
The Reds forward has developed into an established name in world football, yet he's still having to manage criticism, with the latest coming from one of his opponents.
Vincent Aboubakar was scheduled to face Salah in the semi-final of the African Cup of Nations on Thursday night, but he didn't seem concerned based on his recent comments.
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"He doesn’t impress me much," said the Cameroon striker. “He's a good player, he scores a lot but he doesn't produce a lot of stuff in the game. Of course, he's doing good stuff in the Premier League because he's been in a team that's been there for years.
"He's a good player but not at the level of someone like Kylian Mbappe.”
Aboubakar is the top scorer at the tournament at the moment, but he seemed to be overlooking a variety of elements attached to Salah's elite game. He is far more than just a scorer despite the narrative that surrounds him.
So far this season, no player has scored more than his 16 goals in the Premier League. In fact, he's scored twice as many goals as everybody else in the division except for Diogo Jota and Jamie Vardy.
The 29-year-old also places top for shots and shots on target, although Aboubakar did appreciate his ability to find the net, so what else does he offer?
What is often overlooked is his progression and invention when in possession. Only six players in England's top flight have found the penalty box with passes more than Salah this season, and he's also skilled at getting into the box by carrying the ball himself.
Of his total number of carries, five have ended in goals - which is the joint-most in the league - and four have ended with him registering an assist, which is also the joint-most.
Salah is an expert at getting into the dangerous areas that opposing teams try to restrict access to, and he's one of the best at generating shots for others to convert.
The Egyptian international is averaging 4.6 chances created per 100 passes this season, which is bettered by only three players. Despite popular opinion, Salah creates plenty for those around him.
As a tricky dribbler, he's equally underestimated. Salah has completed a total of 36 dribbles in the Premier League this season which is the sixth-most. Manchester City in particular suffered at the hands of his unpredictable quality at Anfield.
It remains to be seen exactly what Aboubakar was suggesting by saying he 'doesn't produce a lot', but based on the statistical evidence behind Salah's performances, he should be deemed as the ultimate example of production.
Liverpool 's talisman contributes by doing things that matter in a footballing context. He is decisive and capable of winning games on his own.
Whether he's progressing the play, dribbling, assisting others or scoring himself, Salah is a complete threat.
And he's headed for the African Cup of Nations final. Aboubakar is not.
