Momar Sakanoko Tips Real Madrid Forward, Karim Benzema to Win Ballon d’Or, Excludes Sadio Mane From List

• Momar Sakanoko says it is Karim Benzema’s time to win the Ballon d’Or award after having a remarkable season with Real Madrid
• The 23-year-old Senegalese born French former basketballer excluded Liverpool forward, Sadio Mane from his shortlist for the award
• Benzema has scored an impressive 42 goals in 42 games for Real Madrid this season and was instrumental in helping Real Madrid win the Spanish La Liga

Basketballers are also having their say on who should be crowned this year’s Ballon d’Or winner as the European season draws to a close.

Momar Sakanoko who is a Senegalese-born former French Basketballer believes Real Madrid forward, Karim Benzema has done enough to win this year’s Ballon d’Or award.

Sakanoko, who is now into talent management, in an interview with Sports Brief, downplayed the chances of Senegal international, Sadio Mane winning the individual award ahead of Benzema.

“He is having a wonderful season, and have marked history by winning the African Nations cup, but Karim Benzema is also having a hell of a season with Real Madrid.

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“This is a hard one, but I would choose Benzema over mane because he has a really big impact in his team and how he is dominating La Liga.

“He the past 2 years he has been on the road for Ballon d’Or I believe this is his time to get it.”

Benzema is the Spanish La Liga’s top scorer this season with 26 goals and has contributed 11 assists to help Real Madrid secure their 35th league title.

Benzema sends blunt message to Man City

Meanwhile, Karim Benzema is not getting carried away with Real Madrid’s Spanish La Liga success after Los Blancos were crowned as league champions.

According to the Daily Mirror, the French forward has stated that the Galacticos will now focus on other goals left in the season.

Real Madrid are aiming to qualify for the UEFA Champions League final but must first turn around a first-leg 4-3 defeat to Manchester City in their semi-final reverse fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Mane backed to win this year's Ballon d'Or award ahead of Benzema

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Gabriel Agbonlahor has backed Liverpool ace Sadio Mane to win this year's Ballon d'Or award if Karim Benzema's Real Madrid are dumped out of the Champions League.

Benzema is currently the leading candidate to cart home the award after a sensational campaign with Real Madrid.

The Frenchman is on the verge of leading Los Blancos to La Liga glory and has played a central role in his side's Champions League campaign this term.