Lionel Messi hails Liverpool star Sadio Mane and lifts lid on Ballon d’Or vote

Lionel Messi has hailed Sadio Mane’s performances in 2019 after the Liverpool ace finished fourth in the Ballon d’Or voting. Messi won the trophy for the sixth time, beating Mane’s Liverpool team-mate by just seven points.

Cristiano Ronaldo was third on 476 points while Mane was a distant fourth on 347.

Nevertheless, Mane has enjoyed a sensational 2019 and last night he led Liverpool to victory in the Merseyside derby against Everton with two assists and a goal in the first half.

Last year, the Senegalese star shared the Premier League golden boot with Mohamed Salah and Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

But he is the Reds’ top scorer with nine goals so far.

And speaking with Canal+, Messi revealed his admiration for the 27-year-old.

“It’s a shame to see Mane finish in fourth place,” Messi said.

“But I think there have been a lot of great players this year. “That’s why it was difficult to choose a particular player.

“I just keep thinking about Mane, everyone goes on about Firmino and Salah, I actually think he is (their most important player) at this moment in time.

“The one that he probably can’t afford to drop. I don’t think there is a better player in the Premier League than Mane, maybe in Europe, at this moment in time.

“I know we used to have Hazard who was sensational. I think Mane now is world class.”

source: express.co.uk