The Reds star admits winning the prize would make him ‘the happiest player in the world’.
Sadio Mane has expressed his desire to become the second African player to win the Ballon d’Or.
The Liverpool star is one step away from claiming his third trophy of the season with the Reds. Mane also led Senegal to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title earlier this year.
Most observers consider Karim Benzema as the frontrunner to clinch the Ballon d’Or. However, winning the Champions League final with Liverpool could change the odds in favour of Mane.
The Beyern Munich-linked forward says more African players should have won the prestigious prize.
“It’s true; if you guys say it [Ballon d’Or voting ignores African players], what can I say myself? Which is sad,” Mane said. “This cup, the Africa Cup of Nations, is one of the biggest for myself, it is the biggest trophy I have won in my life, and for an African player not to have won the Ballon d’Or since George Weah, it is sad for sure.
“Winning the Champions League is special. I have a chance to play [in] it again and we have a chance to win it as we have a strong team. We will do everything we can to win it.
“For me it would be even more special to have another bonus which is the Ballon d’Or, and I would be the most happy player in the world.”
He added: “The target, my target and the target of all Liverpool Football Club, was to win four trophies. So far we have won two and missed one, and we have the Champions League final to play. Then you have to decide [the Ballon d’Or winner].”
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