Fourth in the ranking of the Ballon d’Or France Football 2019 but absent from the ceremony on Monday, Sadio Mané had took time to leave a video message.
Lionel Messi became, on Monday December 2nd 2019, the first player to win the Ballon d’Or for the 6th time, just 32 years old. He was crowned in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and therefore 2019.
This year, he won his 10th Liga, finished top scorer in the Spanish league (36 goals) and the Champions League (12), but also best player of La Liga and Soulier d’Or. He is ahead of Virgil van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo as Sadio Mané comes 4th.
The Senegalese can be disappointed but he keeps the smile as he tells France Football. “I would have liked to be there with you, but my calendar did not allow it. I have a match this Wednesday (against Everton, 15th round of Premier League).
I say congratulations to the winner and we meet next year. I will try to be there and why not to have the Ballon d’Or, inch’allah,” said Sadio Mané.
Note that Sadio Mane had a fascinating season! A champions league, Afcon finalist, premier league top scorer, and a UEFA super cup!
Ballon d’or 2019 votes in full
1. Lionel Messi – 686
2. Virgil van Dijk – 679
3. Cristiano Ronaldo – 476
4. Sadio Mane – 347
5. Mohamed Salah – 178
6. Kylian Mbappe – 89
7. Alisson – 67
8. Robert Lewandowski – 44
9. Bernardo Silva – 41
10. Riyad Mahrez – 33
11. Frenkie de Jong – 31
12. Raheem Sterling – 30
13. Eden Hazard – 25
14. Kevin de Bruyne – 14
15. Matthijs de Ligt – 13
16. Sergio Aguero – 12
17. Roberto Firmino – 11
18. Antoine Griezmann – 9
19. Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8
=20. Dusan Tadic – 5
=20. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 5
22. Son Heung-min – 4
23. Hugo Lloris – 3
=24. Kalidou Koulibaly – 2
=24. Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 2
=26. Karim Benzema – 1
=26. Giorginio Wijnaldum – 1
=28. Donny van de Beek – 0
=28. Joao Felix – 0
=28. Marquinhos – 0
By Subiru Madina
Congratulations