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Tonight the European Ballon d'Or will be awarded. Without surprise we expect a final victory for Karim Benzema. But Africa will be able to find the podium 27 years after the last appearance of a son of the continent.
Tonight is the night the European Golden Ball will be awarded. At 18:30 Gmt at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, the most beautiful costumes will be out. In this gathering of stars of the round ball, an African had to weigh of all his ebony blackness. Sadio Mané. The Bayern Munich player has long animated the debates on the Ballon d'Or. And this 66th edition should certainly escape to the benefit of the French striker Karim Benzema, but a player from the continent could make one of the best rankings since 1995 with the coronation of George Weah.
Why Mané deserves the podium
Announced in Paris to honor his presence at the Ballon 'Or, Sadio Mané should logically finish on the podium. And if he decided to make the trip, it's because he heard about his rank. Seeing a local player on the podium will be a first for the continent since the consecration of George Weah in 1995. And the end of a long wait. Until now, the best rank of Africans stops at a 4th place with Dider Drogba (2007). The 30 year old Senegalese striker has won almost everything. Winner of the English Cup, the League Cup, the African Cup of Nations, finalist of the Champions League or qualified for the World Cup 2022, Sadio Mané has been unstoppable.
Even if for the first time, the Ballon d'Or will no longer take into account the performances achieved over two half-seasons (from January to July and August to December), but only the past season. "My absolute goal? is the Ballon d'Or. In life, you have to dream, the dream is allowed to everyone", the winger firmly believed. Before changing his mind when he saw that Benzema is on another planet. "He had a great season with Real Madrid. He won the Champions League. I'm happy for him," said the 30-year-old Senegalese international on Canal+. On my part, I won the African Cup of Nations this year. It was very important for Senegal and me. It is my first CAN with my country. But I think Karim deserves the Ballon d'Or and I sincerely think so."
The African Footballer of the Year, Mané had scored 23 goals and provided 5 assists in his last season with the Reds. And it is without surprise that we should see him installed on one of the three prestigious steps of the podium of the Ballon d'Or this year. A masterstroke then 27 after the last appearance of an ambassador of the continent on the podium.
