Agbonlahor tips 30-year-old Premier League star to win the Ballon d’Or award ahead of Benzema, Lewandowski and Salah

Agbonlahor tips 30-year-old Premier League star to win the Ballon d’Or award ahead of Benzema, Lewandowski and Salah

Former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor has named reds forward Sadio Mane as his most likely candidate to win this year’s Ballon d’Or.

Super stars such as Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski are the front-runners for the prestigious award.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have had a strangle hold on the Ballon d’Or for over a decade, with the duo winning every title since 2008 except one.

Liverpool’s Senegalese striker Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Super Cup 2019 football match between FC Liverpool and FC Chelsea at Besiktas Park Stadium in Istanbul on August 14, 2019. (Photo by Bulent Kilic / AFP) (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP via Getty Images)

Agbonlahor believes that Mane should be in the conversation following a fine individual year for the Senegalese winger.

Speaking to Talksport, the former England international said:

“I know we look at Benzema or Lewandowski but I’m looking at Mane. Mane won the AFCON, a chance of the Premier League, won the Carabao Cup, could win the FA Cup and Champions League.

“I’d put Mane ahead of Salah”

Sadio Mane has had an exceptional year and had a change in position to a centre-forward in order to accommodate new signing Luis Diaz.

Mane has scored 19 goals in his 43 appearances this season, but his incredible workrate makes him a sure-fire starter for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Sadio Mane also scored the winning penalty in the AFCON final against Egypt, and also helped Senegal in securing a spot in the world cup finals in Qatar.

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