The Senegalese superstar, 27, was in superb form for Liverpool last season as the Reds finished second in the Premier League title race and captured the Champions League crown.



But Mane doesn't believe that's enough to stop the Barcelona captain, 32, from winning a record-breaking sixth Ballon d'Or.

Speaking ahead of the Super Cup clash with Chelsea, the Liverpool star was asked if he would feel 'frustrated' if Messi won France Football's coveted prize ahead of him.

Mane chuckled after hearing the question and responded with a simple "No."

The Senegal international continued: "I will recognise that he deserves to win it.

"For sure, everybody knows Messi, so I don't have to describe how good he is."



Van Dijk, 28, is widely tipped to challenge Messi for the Ballon d'Or award later this year.

But the Dutch centre-back admitted after Liverpool's Champions League success that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner should win the award again.

"I think Messi is the best player in the world," the Reds star told reporters.

"He deserves it as long as he plays, so the Ballon d'Or is not something I'm thinking of.

"If it happens, obviously I would take it, but I don't think there is any [chance].

"He is still the best player in the world. It doesn't matter if he's not in the Champions League final."



Argentine superstar Messi took home the European Golden Shoe last season as Barcelona lifted the La Liga title.

But the Barca talisman suffered heartbreak as Liverpool produced a stunning Champions League semi-final comeback to knock the Spanish champions out of the competition.

A sixth Ballon d'Or for Messi would move him ahead of arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the outright record holder.

Liverpool will take on Chelsea today at 8pm UK time in Istanbul.

Should Messi win the Ballon d'Or?
http://www.sportbible.com/football/news-sadio-mane-backs-lionel-messi-to-win-the-ballon-dor-over-van-dijk-20190814

Messi deserves 2019 ballon d'or--VvD
Messi should win this year ballon--mpabbe
Messi deserve 2019 world best--mane

If messi is deny this year world best player just know the entire system is rigged

That he won't feel frustrated if Messi wins the Ballon D'or is not the same as back him over Van Dijk.

Either you don't understand the statement or you're deliberately being sensational in your report.

Ronaldo right now

thesicilian:
That he won't feel frustrated if Messi wins the Ballon D'or is not the same as back him over Van Dijk.

Either you don't understand the statement or you're deliberately being sensational in your report.

stop crying and bow down to the GOAT messi.

6 balloon d'or loading
6 golden boots
Over 600 goals.

Messi

Messi lalasticlala front page

U mean the MESSIAH.......!!!

Igbosmoker:
Messi deserves 2019 ballon d'or--VvD
Messi should win this year ballon--mpabbe
Messi deserve 2019 world best--mane

If messi is deny this year world best player just know the entire system is rigged

These guys are not their country's captain and if VVD is, he will vote himself, so how does their statement make Messi the ultimate winner?

eddyghali:


These guys are not their country's captain and if VVD is, he will vote himself, so how does their statement make Messi the ultimate winner?

because they will likely vote messi as a first or second choice.

Ok

You can't take away from CR7

All statistics are there to prove.

He has delivered.


FIFA should be tired of giving award to a one club footballer/Wifi who can't click/work outside Nou camp

Real recognises real.

Take Goals away from cr and messi then you would appreciate the beauty of messi.

How he manages to magnet football to his leg and breeze past players is amazing.

Messi makes football an art, he makes it magic.

Football isn't all about putting ball in a goal, its about the beauty of the sport

Igbosmoker:
Messi deserves 2019 ballon d'or--VvD
Messi should win this year ballon--mpabbe
Messi deserve 2019 world best--mane

If messi is deny this year world best player just know the entire system is rigged

well he topped any list in terms of europe

they might pull a modric on him and give it to ighalo

is it not fifa and co again

Mane, you better calm down! The tap-in merchant in Juventus & his deluded sycophants will cry o!

I don't get this Van Dijk hype. I mean Ramos was better for years and no one dared bring his name in the Ballon D'Or debate. Terry was on that form. Vidic was on it. And all of sudden this dude should be world best. How exactly?

Sapiosexuality:
I don't get this Van Dijk hype. I mean Ramos was better for years and no one dared bring his name in the Ballon D'Or debate. Terry was on that form. Vidic was on it. And all of sudden this dude should be world best. How exactly?

Thats what I'm still trying to figure out. Vvd is overatted

APOPTOSIS:
U mean the MESSIAH.......!!!

Stop.

Sapiosexuality:
I don't get this Van Dijk hype. I mean Ramos was better for years and no one dared bring his name in the Ballon D'Or debate. Terry was on that form. Vidic was on it. And all of sudden this dude should be world best. How exactly?

Dont say that.. Though he is not due for the Ballon d'or but Van Dijk is a single defender that can stop 3 strikers.

Vidic had the backing of reliable Ferdinand then.. In Dirk's case, he can pair with any defender and still performs

Sapiosexuality:
I don't get this Van Dijk hype. I mean Ramos was better for years and no one dared bring his name in the Ballon D'Or debate. Terry was on that form. Vidic was on it. And all of sudden this dude should be world best. How exactly?

check his stats Mate.
hasn't been dribbled since last season.

d streak goes on!

Messi that doesn't even know how to do Leg-over

This guy just became my favourite footballer. Love his down to earth attitude.

Ultimatezlant:
Real recognises real.

Take Goals away from cr and messi then you would appreciate the beauty of messi.

How he manages to magnet football to his leg and breeze past players is amazing.

Messi makes football an art, he makes it magic.

Football isn't all about putting ball in a goal, its about the beauty of the sport

And how he fails to work outside Spain

Give it to a man who has replicated dominance across continents. History will never forget that fact.

mane be like, after i done score crucial goals against bayern and porto and even cost the penaty in the final i even score two goals in the just concluded super cup final, una no dey even mention my name at all make dem give messi instead. MANE I STAND WITH U

Sapiosexuality:
I don't get this Van Dijk hype. I mean Ramos was better for years and no one dared bring his name in the Ballon D'Or debate. Terry was on that form. Vidic was on it. And all of sudden this dude should be world best. How exactly?

Van Dijk is proudly sponsored by the English media. He is still nowhere close to Ramos.