African Football Star Backed to Win This Year's Ballon D'or Award Ahead of Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski

• Gabriel Agbonlahor believes Sadio Mane has a slight edge over Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski in the race for Ballon d'Or award
• According to the former player, Mane should win the prestigious award should Benzema's Real Madrid get eliminated from the Champions League
• Mane has had a thrilling 2022 having already won the Africa Cup of Nations title with Senegal and the Carabao Cup with Liverpool

Former Aston Villa star 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.

The 34-year-old striker stole the show on Tuesday night, April 26, as he netted a brace against Man City to keep Real's Champions League dream alive.

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However, despite Benzema being a frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or award, he is expected to face stiff competition from a number of players who have equally been brilliant this term.

Gabriel Agbonlahor tips Mane to win the Ballon d'Or

Agbonlahor has now claimed Mane is a serious contender for the Ballon d'Or and should win the prize ahead of Benzema should Real Madrid be eliminated from the Champions League.

Mane has enjoyed an incredible season with Liverpool, playing a key role in the Red's attack with 19 goals to his name in 34 games this term.

Having already won the Africa Cup of Nations and the Carabao Cup, the Senegalese is in line to bag more titles this season including the Premier League, the Champions League, and the FA Cup.

While Agbonlahor conceded Benzema and Lewandowski are favourites for the Ballon d'Or, he feels Mane cannot be overlooked.

"We will probably look at Benzema and Lewandowski, but I'm looking at Sadio Mane," he told talkSPORT.

"I know we're looking at Benzema, but if they [Real Madrid] get knocked out by Man City then I think Mane would be the favourite to get it," he added.