Senegal coach believes Sadio Mane can win Ballon d’Or if he lifts the African Cup of Nations.
While he also ended the season as the joint-highest goalscorer in the Premier League with 22 goals.
The Liverpool winger played a crucial role in the Red’s Champions League campaign leading them to their 6th Title.
When asked if Mane could win the Ballon d’Or, Cisse told Goal:
“Why not? He has worked hard not only in the last year but since 2011, where I’ve known him to have great discipline and high professionalism. I followed him from his time in Austria and Southampton until he arrived at Liverpool.”
“What he has achieved this year is a result of great effort over many years and winning the AFCON will be an extension of those efforts. It will take him a step closer to the Golden Ball, which I think he deserves to win.”
“No one can dispute the abilities of Sadio Mane,” he added. “He’s a world-class player and has proven as much. He’s always talking [to me] about everything, even when he’s with Liverpool.”
It remains to be seen if Mane indeed wins the AFCON Cup and the Ballon d’Or.