Arsene Wenger has singled out Liverpool winger Sadio Mane as a player who deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.
The former Arsenal manager picked out the Senegal international and gave him huge credit for the way he fights in games, and how he is not frightened of anybody.
The 27-year-old won his first Premier League Golden Boot award last season, scoring 22 goals and sharing the accolade with teammate Mohamed Salah and Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Wenger called Mane outstanding and agreed when asked if his vote for the Ballon d’Or would go to someone like the African winger.
“Mane was the outstanding character,” he told beIN Sports.
“Because he is a fighter, and efficient.”
“He’s not scared of anybody, at the moment you could say he deserves huge credit.”
OPINION
Liverpool have been sensational in the past couple of seasons, and a number of their players are certainly worthy of being in the discussion for the Ballon d’Or. Mane has been one of those players after taking his game to a new level since moving to Anfield from Southampton and is definitely one of the world’s best in the final third right now. Making sure your form is consistent and not just for a single season is key to winning any personal accolade, and the 27-year-old has done just that at the Reds. Mane has continued his form from the last campaign and has already scored five goals in eight Premier League games this season – more than both Salah and Roberto Firmino have managed. The African has been untouchable for Liverpool in the past couple of seasons and has the ability to tear apart any opposing sides when he is on the top of his game. Mane definitely deserves recognition for his role at Liverpool, and the Ballon d’Or would certainly give him just that.
