Sadio Mane: "Karim Benzema deserves Ballon d'Or by a distance"

Since the beginning of the previous season,

has met the target 48 times and contributed 16 assists across all competitions for the La Liga champions. However, Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski are the ones who have netted more, both 50, in the same period. The Frenchman also became the second-highest goalscorer for

, with Cristiano Ronaldo being the first. Mane, who departed Liverpool and joined Bayern Munich, is also on the list for the Ballon d’Or.

The

Senegal

hero who won AFCON with his side last year backed Real Madrid forward to win the title. He told

:

“Honestly, I think that Benzema deserves, by a distance, to win to 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.”

had a crucial role for Senegal as they won the Africa Cup of Nations, while also helping Liverpool win the EFL Cup and FA Cup. Following his goal and assist during

5-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League.

"[Benzema's] had a great, great season with Real Madrid, he's won the Champions League... I think he easily deserves it, so I'm happy for him,"

Mane added

.

"I know I won the Africa Cup of Nations, it was a relief for me and for the whole country, and I'm really happy to have won my first AFCON with my country. But I think it's Karim who deserves it, and I honestly believe that."

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