Senegal superstar Sadio Mane has revealed who he believes deserves to win the 2022 Ballon d'Or over him, with many feeling the Bayern Munich winger has done enough to claim the prize.
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The former Liverpool player is among a list of 30 nominees in the running to for this year's prize, with him, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Thibaut Courtois, Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema considered best-placed to be crowned the winner.
Speaking in a recent interview, Mane said it is the latter whom he feels should be handed the Ballon d'Or, despite enjoying a fantastic 2021/22 season for club and country himself.
"Honestly, I think that Karim deserves it this year," he said, according to the Daily Mail.
"He's had a great, great season with Real Madrid. He's won the Champions League… I think he easily deserves it, so I'm happy for him.
"I know I won the Africa Cup of Nations, it was a relief for me and for the whole country, and I'm really happy to have won my first Afcon with my country.
"But I think it's Karim who deserves it, and I honestly believe that."
No African footballer has won the Ballon d'Or since Liberian legend George Weah did in 1995 after his exploits that year for Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan.
Mane, meanwhile, has returned to form for Bayern following a slight dip, having scored in his latest two games for the German giants.
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