Sadio Mane would be happy to see Karim Benzema scoop the Ballon d’Or award later this year, but on one major condition.
The Real Madrid striker has emerged as a leading candidate to win the prestigious award following a stellar season that has seen him fire Real Madrid to another La Liga triumph and to the brink of a 14th Champions League title.
Benzema’s goals have already helped Carlo Ancelotti’s side record unlikely victories against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City and a solid showing in tomorrow’s final against Liverpool would cement his status as the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or.
Having played a key role in Liverpool’s treble challenge and Senegal’s emotional maiden success at the Africa Cup of Nations, meanwhile, Mane is also in with a significant chance of being recognised as the best player in the world over the course of the last 12 months.
The 29-year-old, in typical selfless style, however, would be happy to sacrifice personal acclaim and see Benzema win the award, as long as Liverpool emerge victorious at Stade de France on Saturday night.
Mane was asked, in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, by one of his biggest fans, Jamie Carragher: ‘If we can sort it so that Karim Benzema gets the Ballon d’Or but you get the Champions League trophy, what would you say?’
‘I would shake hands on that right now,’ Mane replied, before adding: ‘But then I would say it will be even better if I take both the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or!
‘Honestly, it has never been something that bothered me. My dream was always to win a trophy with my national team.
‘We had never won the Afcon (African Cup of Nations) before this year. Diouf always said that if he had the choice he would swap his two African Player of the Year awards for one African Nations Cup.
‘That was always the most important trophy. But of course, you dream of the Ballon d’Or, too. It would be a pleasure.’
