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Sadio Mane Says He'd Vote For Lionel Messi Ahead Of Virgil Van Dijk For Ballon d'Or

Sadio Mane Says He'd Vote For Lionel Messi Ahead Of Virgil Van Dijk For Ballon d'Or

The five time Ballon d'Or winner voted for the Liverpool forward for the FIFA Best Men's Player of the Year award.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Sadio Mane has admitted that he won't vote for teammate Virgil van Dijk for any 'Player of the Year' awards, because he still sees Lionel Messi as the best.

The Liverpool defender and the Barcelona forward have already competed over two awards this season with the UEFA Player of the Year going to Van Dijk and the FIFA version going to Messi.

The pair will likely be the top two for the Ballon d'Or in December but Van Dijk won't have the support of teammate Mane. Speaking to the Times the forward admitted he'd vote for Messi, saying, "Yes, for sure [he'd vote for Messi]...after Virgil.

"No, Virgil is a great, great player but sorry Virgil, it has to be Messi before you."

International captains got to vote for the FIFA Best Men's Player of the Award, that Messi won for the first time in September, and Messi voted for the Senegal forward.

Talking about that vote the former Southampton player said, "It's a great compliment when Messi votes for you. If you look at where I've come from, it shows I've come quite far. Without being for a long time at an academy, I got here. All I can say [to kids] is to keep working hard and go for your dream."

Mane's been in top form for Liverpool. Image: PA Images
Mane's been in top form for Liverpool. Image: PA Images

The 27-year-old has continued his excellent form from last season, that helped the Reds became European champions, and has already scored five goals in the league in nine games so far.

It looked like Mane had scored a sixth goal of the season on Sunday night when he put the ball in the net late in the first half of the Reds' game with Manchester United.

Unfortunately for him the ball had hit his hand in the build up to the goal and due to the new rules on handballs it was disallowed by VAR.

Will Van Dijk add to his UEFA award? Image: PA Images
Will Van Dijk add to his UEFA award? Image: PA Images

Despite the fact his teammate won't be voting for him in the Ballon d'Or, Van Dijk is currently odds on favourite to win the award.

The Dutch centre back helped Liverpool to win the Champions League, reach a ridiculous 97 points in the league and reached the Nations League final with his country.

Who do you think should win the Ballon d'Or?

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Topics: Liverpool, Football News, FIFA, Lionel Messi, Premier League, Ballon d'Or, Virgil Van Dijk, Jurgen Klopp, Champions League, Sadio Mane, The Best, Cristiano Ronaldo

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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