Sadio Mane has chosen his favorite for the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
After assisting his Bayern Munich team to a convincing 5-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday in the third match of the UEFA Champions League group stage, Sadio Mane shared his pick for this year’s Ballon d’Or winner. Mane had a standout season. He won the African Cup of Nations with his nation. And two domestic trophies with Liverpool, the Senegalese star recommended the name of one of his competitors.
Since 1956, the French news publication France Football has presented the Ballon d’Or annually to a football player. For the first time in the award’s history, the Ballon d’Or will be determined by results from a season rather than a calendar year. At a ceremony in Paris on October 17, the winner will be declared.
Sadio Mane chooses Benzema as his favorite pick
After Bayern Munich defeated Viktoria Plzen, Sadio Mane spoke with Canal+.
“Honestly, I think Karim (Benzema) deserves it this year. He had a great, great season with Real, with whom he won the Champions League. He totally deserves it, so I’m very happy for him.”
When he was informed that he had also won the African Cup of Nations this year, it was suggested that this would have improved his chances.
“Winning the African Cup of Nations was an absolute liberation for me and for the whole country. It’s something I am enormously proud of, but I insist; I think Benzema deserves it more; I say so sincerely.”
With 27 goals in 32 games, Benzema led La Liga last season. In the Champions League, he averaged one goal or assist every 89 minutes, including astonishing hat-tricks against Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
He passed Raul in August to become Real Madrid’s second-highest goal scorer all-time with his 324th goal.
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