Sadio Mane Backs Lionel Messi To Win The Ballon D’or Over Virgil Van Dijk
The Senegalese superstar, 27, was in superb form for Liverpool last season as the Reds finished second in the Premier League title race and captured the Champions League crown.
But Mane doesn’t believe that’s enough to stop the Barcelona captain, 32, from winning a record-breaking sixth Ballon d’Or.
Speaking ahead of the Super Cup clash with Chelsea, the Liverpool star was asked if he would feel ‘frustrated’ if Messi won France Football’s coveted prize ahead of him.
Mane chuckled after hearing the question and responded with a simple “No.”
The Senegal international continued: “I will recognise that he deserves to win it.
“For sure, everybody knows Messi, so I don’t have to describe how good he is.”
Van Dijk, 28, is widely tipped to challenge Messi for the Ballon d’Or award later this year.
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But the Dutch centre-back admitted after Liverpool’s Champions League success that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner should win the award again.
“I think Messi is the best player in the world,” the Reds star told reporters.
“He deserves it as long as he plays, so the Ballon d’Or is not something I’m thinking of.
“If it happens, obviously I would take it, but I don’t think there is any [chance].
“He is still the best player in the world. It doesn’t matter if he’s not in the Champions League final.”
Argentine superstar Messi took home the European Golden Shoe last season as Barcelona lifted the La Liga title.
But the Barca talisman suffered heartbreak as Liverpool produced a stunning Champions League semi-final comeback to knock the Spanish champions out of the competition.
A sixth Ballon d’Or for Messi would move him ahead of arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the outright record holder.
Liverpool will take on Chelsea today at 8pm UK time in Istanbul.