Mane: Messi Deserves The Ballon d'Or Award

Mane insists though he desires to win the accolade one day but believes the Argentine wizard deserves the honour than any other competitor even if the 32-year-old did not reach the Champions League final last season.

Despite winning the LaLiga with Barcelona last season, Messi also won himself individual glories, winning the Pichichi trophy with 36 goals and sixth European Golden Boot. 

Comparing the five-time Ballon d'Or winner with his competitors, Mane who is among the personalities chasing for the accolade believes the goal poacher is the right man to win the award. 

"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."

Before Mane’s recent recommendation for the difficult to handle forward, Virgil van Dijk, in his previous interview backed Messi to clinch the honour.

"I think Messi is the best player in the world and I think he deserves it as long as he plays," he told the press conference. 

"The Ballon d'Or is not something I am thinking of, but if it happens by any chance I will obviously take it. 

"I don't think there is any case and I think that Messi is still the best player in the world and it doesn't matter if he isn't in the Champions League final." 

Winning it this year, will see Messi one step ahead of Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo, with both currently winning it five times.