‘Honest’ Sadio Mane Admits Karim Benzema Deserves to Win Ballon d’Or Ahead of Him

• Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane has admitted Karim Benzema deserves to win this year's Ballon d'Or ahead of him despite being among the main contenders for the award
• Meanwhile, a leaked screenshot which made its way online revealed the Real Madrid sharpshooter as the eventual winner of the foremost prize in football
• This year's Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place at the Theatre du Chatelet, Paris on Monday, October 17

Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane has conceded Karim Benzema deserves to win this year's Ballon d'Or ahead of him.

Mane, who ended his six-year spell with Liverpool by switching to Bayern Munich this summer, is among the top candidates shortlisted for football's most cherished individual prize.

The 30-year-old Senegal international had an impressive campaign in the year under review, including annexing the African Footballer of the Year award on top of helping his nation win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, which has proved elusive for many years.

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Following his remarkable achievements for both club and country, Mane is regarded as one of the favourites for this year's award, with many tipping Real Madrid marksman Karim Benzema for the Ballon d'Or.

With just under two weeks left for the awards ceremony, Mane - who scored his first Champions League goal for Bayern against Plzen on Tuesday - backed the Madrid captain to win the diadem.

"Karim Benzema deserves the Ballon d'Or. I'm happy for him," Mane said as quoted by Daily Mail. "He obviously won the Champions League and La Liga last season and was influential. I think he deserves it," Mane added.

Viral screenshot reveals Karim Benzema as the winner of 2022 Ballon d'Or winner

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that a leaked image displaying the 2022 Ballon d'Or results has surfaced on social media.

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The viral screenshot declares Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema as this year's winner of football's most coveted individual diadem.

Benzema, who has been tipped to win the 2022 Ballon d'Or by seven-time winner Lionel Messi, is deemed as the firm candidate to annex the prize.