Sadio Mane of Bayern Munich says he will be ecstatic if Karim Benzema of Real Madrid wins the Ballon d’Or in 2021–2022.
WHAT OCCURED? With Liverpool, the 30-year-old Senegalese striker had a fantastic season, scoring 23 goals and dishing out five assists in 51 games. He also led the Liverpool team to their eighth FA Cup victory and their ninth Carabao Cup win overall.
After Mane converted the go-ahead penalty against Egypt in Cameroon, Senegal was able to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time ever with his assistance. His three goals and two assists earned him the title of tournament player.
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He led Liverpool to the Champions League final, but in Paris, they lost 1-0 to Benzema’s Real Madrid.
WHAT MANE SAID? Mane, who has been shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or prize, whose gala will be held on October 17, does not think he merits it despite his accomplishments during the previous campaign.
After Bayern’s 5-0 Champions League victory over Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday night, he said Canal+, as quoted by GOAL France, “Honestly, I think Karim deserves it this year.”
“He had a fantastic season with Real, winning the Champions League with them. I’m thrilled for him because he deserves it so much.”
Mane commented after his team became the first to ever win the Afcon: “For me and the entire nation, it was a huge relief. I am overjoyed to have won my first Afcon with the nation, but Karim truly deserves it, in my opinion.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: The Lion of Teranga joined Bayern at the beginning of the season and has since made eight appearances while tallying four Bundesliga goals.
He has a tie for fourth place overall right now.
In the 5-0 thrashing of Viktoria Plzen at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday, Mane scored his first goal in the Champions League.