The talk regarding Sadio Mane and the Ballon d’Or is likely to increase if the Liverpool attacker maintains this form for the rest of the season.
Mane was the hero for Liverpool on Tuesday by producing a wonderful header to give Jurgen Klopp’s side a 2-1 victory away to Aston Villa.
In doing so, the Reds kept alive their Premier League title hopes by moving level on points with Manchester City at the summit of the standings.
In April, Gabby Agbonlahor tipped Mane as a potential Ballon d’Or candidate due to his exceptional form since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Overall, the 30-year-old has netted 22 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool this season, with Klopp himself acknowledging himself last month that winning football’s most coveted individual prize was possible for the Senegal international.
It’s impossible not to admire what Mane is doing for Liverpool right now and Jamie Carragher sung his praises on Sky Sports last night, admitting that the former Southampton livewire is his favourite player.
He said: “I love him, absolutely love him to bits. Not just because he’s a great player and what he’s done for Liverpool. When I have watched Liverpool as a fan, Sadio Mane is my favourite player. There is just something about Mane. He’s sacrificed himself at times and the shift he puts in.”
Could Sadio Mane win the Ballon d’Or?
In a word, yes.
Remember, Mane has already fired his country to Africa Cup of Nations glory this year and if he continues to score big goals in helping Liverpool toward an unprecedented quadruple this season, his name will certainly be mentioned.
Nobody in Klopp’s squad has been more influential than him this calendar year in an attacking sense, even over-shadowing Mohamed Salah on quite a few occasions.
Even if Liverpool win two of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, Mane is absolutely in with a shout.
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