Liverpool ace Sadio Mane has been tipped to win the Ballon D’or by Manchester United legend. Mane is having a remarkable season with Liverpool with 19 goals in all competitions. Liverpool are still in contention to win the Premier League and the Champions League title and if they manage to do that, Sadio Mane can well have his claim for the Ballon d’Or.
Apart from success on the club level, Mane has achieved success on the International level too. Mane inspired his country Senegal to its first ever Africa Cup of Nations title beating club teammate Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in the Final.
Mane also went on to inspire his country Senegal to the World Cup once again beating club teammate Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in the World Cup Qualifier.
Mane isn’t an obvious choice for the Ballon d’Or but if he can deliver for Liverpool in the Champions League Semi Finals and Finals, he would have a strong claim for this season’s Ballon d’Or.
Former Man United Goalkeeper and club legend Edwin Van Der Sar has backed Mane for the Ballon D’Or. Talking during a twitter space, Van Der Sar was asked if Benzema is his favorite for Bdor to which he replied:
“Benzema Ballon d’Or? For me, it’s no. Wait, there’s a player currently doing just as well as Benzema and no one is talking about him. Do you know Sadio Mane? Along with [Mohamed] Salah, Sadio has been Liverpool’s best player for several seasons now. If any player should win the Ballon d’Or, it’s him.”
Mane would have a great chance for Ballon d’Or if he can help Liverpool to the Champions League and the Premier League title. The Ballon d’Or this season would be awarded at the end of the season instead of end of the year as it was done previously.