Sadio Mane claims African players are unfairly overlooked from Ballon d’Or contention
Sadio Mane has made claims African players are not considered as serious Ballon d’Or candidates as he revealed his desire to become his continent’s first winner since 1995 ahead of the UCL final against Real Madrid.
Mane has been outstanding in 2022, leading Senegal to victory in the Africa Cup of Nations then guiding them through to the World Cup finals; those outstanding efforts have run alongside his magnificent form for Liverpool, who will attempt to win the Champions League on Saturday night.
There remains a doubt about Mane’s long term future on Merseyside, with Bayern Munich seemingly intent on recruiting him, and the 30-year-old has promised he will reveal his intentions about what comes next for him after the showdown with Real Madrid.
What isn’t in question is the desire of Liverpool’s number 10 to win the game’s biggest individual prize. It will be awarded in a ceremony in Paris this October but Mane believes he is trying to climb a mountain to show he can be bracketed alongside Africa’s only winner George Weah.
When it was put to him that African players are often unfairly overlooked, Mane replied: ‘It’s true. If you guys say it, what can I say myself? Which is sad. This cup, the Africa Cup of Nations is one of the biggest for myself, it is the biggest trophy I have won in my life.
Ballon d’Or since George Weah it is sad for sure. Winning the Champions League is special. I have a chance to play it again and we have a chance to win it as we have a strong team.
‘We will do everything we can to win it and then we will see what happens, with the Ballon d’Or. I think myself and all the Liverpool players will have targets from the beginning of the season, to go for all the trophies for sure. So far we have won two, and missed one, which is behind us.
‘For me it would be even more special to have another bonus which is the Ballon d’Or – and I would be the happiest player in the world.’
He has been the man for the big occasion for Liverpool; he scored in the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid, won a penalty the following year against Tottenham, demolished Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final in April and keeps popping up with huge goals.
‘Honestly I’m really enjoying every single moment. The Champions League final will make it even more special (if) we win it. Two finals is something but you have to dream big and I am a player who dreams big.
‘Playing a Champions League final I think is special and we need to make it even more special. We have the squad to do it. I would say one of the best seasons…so far! I won one of the most important things in my life and it gives me even more motivation to go on for the next step.’
Sadio Mane will be looking to add his collection of trophies this season after winning the AFCON with Senegal and the League Cup and FA Cup with Liverpool as they clash with Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday, May 28 at the Stade de France.
