Bayern Munich attacker Sadio Mane has admiited that his French rival Karim Benzema is the rightful recipient of this year’s Ballon d’Or award, which will be presented on October 17. Mane’s concession comes despite the fact that he himself had a wonderful season at Liverpool, scoring 16 goals and registering four assists in the Premier League before leaving for Bayern in July.
With six goal contributions across all competitions this season, the Senegalese is a major part of the Bavarians’ frightening attacking quartet, featuring Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane, and Thomas Muller. Bayern also have attackers Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry at their disposal, as they yet again emerge as one of the favourites for the European crown.
However, the indomitable French striker Benzema, whom Mane faced in the forgettable Champions League final in May, was by popular opinion the best player in Europe, scoring 42 goals and registering 14 assists in the 2021/22 season.
A whopping 15 goals of the 42 came in the Champions League, including three goals against PSG, four against Chelsea, and three against English champions Manchester City. Benzema scored a ridiculous 10 knockout goals in the competition, as Los Blancos captured the double, winning both La Liga and the Champions League.
With the Frenchman playing such a pivotal role in the 14-time Champions League winners’ wildly successful season, Mane felt that it would be unfair if the Frenchman did not receive the award, despite himself winning the AFCON with Senegal.
“Honestly, I think that Benzema deserves, by a distance, to win the Ballon d’Or this year. And I am very happy for him. His season with Madrid was spectacular, ending up winning the Champions League.
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,”
he said.
