Juventus Vice President Pavel Nedvěd Backs Sadio Mané to Win Ballon d’Or Award

• The race for the Ballon d'Or is heating up as the season draws to a close with Sadio Mané has been heavily tipped for the coveted prize
• With Mané diligently going about his season in the quiet, it appears his efforts have been noticed by 2003 Ballon d'Or winner Pavel Nedvěd
• Nedvěd believes the 2021 AFCON gold medalist deserves to win this year's Ballon d'Or ahead of Benzema and Salah

Juventus vice president Pavel Nedvěd has thrown his weight behind Senegal and Liverpool attacker Sadio Mané for the 2022 Ballon d'Or award.

Nedvěd, a winner of the Ballon d'Or award in 2003, believes Mané is in a similar position he experienced 19 years ago when he competed with Brazilian greats Ronaldo and Ronaldinho as well as French icons Zidane and Thierry Henry for the coveted prize.

Despite the form of Mané's competitors, the former Czech Republic international thinks the Liverpool talisman deserves a shout for the award.

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He made public his preferred candidate for the Ballon d'Or award in an interview with Tuttosport, where he declared that he wants to see Sadio Mané win the Ballon d'Or.

“For me, Sadio Mané is currently the best. In addition to scoring goals, he does magnificent work behind the scenes," he said as quoted by Afrique sports.

"I was in his position in 2003 where I had to fight against monsters like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Henry, and Zidane. Mané is in the same register. He is exceptional and for me, the Ballon d'Or must return to him."

Man United legend Edwin Van der Sar favours Sadio Mane for the Ballon d'Or award

Aside from Pavel Nedvěd, retired Dutch and Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar has tipped Liverpool attacker Sadio Mané for the coveted Ballon d'Or award.

Van der Sar reckons the 2021 AFCON winner should be mentioned in the same breath as Karim Benzema as favourites to clinch the individual accolade.

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Benzema's impeccable performance for Real Madrid has put him in pole position to scoop home the award however Edwin Van der Sar, who is the current Chief Executive of Ajax Amsterdam, believes the Senegalese talisman deserves the accolade more.

Asamoah Gyan describes Sadio Mané as the 'face of Africa'

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Ghana's leading all-time top scorer Asamoah Gyan has showered praise on Senegal and Liverpool talisman Sadio Mané.

Gyan, who will be launching his autobiography soon, gave Mané a pat on the back following his impressive performance for both club and country.

The ex-Ghana captain expressed his delight in Mané's goal against Villarreal in the Champions League and assured him of his unflinching support.