The Senegalese attacker has said sorry for his absence from football's night of nights, but hopes he can hold the major honour aloft in 12 months


Liverpool star Sadio Mane has apologised for not attending the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris on Monday night, but feels he might be a contender for the award next year


The 27-year-old finished fourth in the award voting behind winner Lionel Messi, Reds team-mate Virgil van Dijk and Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.


With an important Premier League match against Merseyside rivals Everton on Wednesday, Mane sent a video message explaining why he wasn't at the event.



And he also predicted that this year's winner could be presenting the trophy to him at the ceremony in 12 months time.
"Hello everyone, it's Sadio Mane - I would have loved to be here with you, but sadly my schedule didn't allow me, because I have a game this Wednesday," Mane said.


"I congratulate the winner and give him an appointment next year. I'll try to be there and maybe lift the Ballon d'Or. Inshallah. See you soon, bye."
�� Sadio Mané, 4e du #ballondor 2019, a un petit message pour vous !
pic.twitter.com/lUWyzZvFhW
— #BallondOr (@francefootball)
December 2, 2019


Mane has been in lethal form recently, starting with a stunning 22-goal league season in 2018-19, to help the Reds only lose one Premier League match for the entire campaign.


The Senegal international has continued this dominance in the current season, with eight goals and four assists in 14 league battles so far.


Mane's club team-mate Mohamed Salah finished in fifth position, while PSG phenom Kylian Mbappe (sixth), Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker (seventh), Bayern hitman Robert Lewandowski (eighth) and
Manchester City duo Bernardo Silva (ninth) and Riyad Mahrez (10th) rounded out the top 10.


www.goal.com/en-ng/news/ill-try-to-win-the-ballon-dor-next-year-liverpool-star-mane/n53ye4awrbuf1x71dbz1yr5l8&hl=en-NG&tg=371&pt=16

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