Sadio Mane has been tipped to knock Cristiano Ronaldo off his perch and become Lionel Messi’s biggest rival for future Ballon d’Or awards.
Messi was named the best player in the world yet again by FIFA last week, edging out Liverpool ’s Virgil van Dijk.
But Holland legend Danny Blind believes it’s Mane who can take the game’s highest individual honour next year,
Messi even name-checked the Reds star while he was collecting his sixth Golden Ball in Paris on Tuesday.
And Blind, 58, the former defender who managed Holland after a glittering playing career with Ajax, is convinced that Mane will put Juventus superstar Ronaldo in the shade.
Blind said: “Sadio Mane is the new Ronaldo in world football.
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“As an attacking player he is absolutely fantastic. I can go through all his qualities – and he is superb in every aspect.
“He can score with his left foot, right foot and with sensational headers.
“He can give brilliant assists, he is an incredible athlete, and I could go on even more!
“Mane is the super modern player. If you look at his skills, that is one great thing, but he is able to combine that with astonishing sprints right throughout the game.
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“That requires so much power. You have to be incredibly strong both physically and mentally. Sadio has it all.”
Mane was joint winner of the Premier League Golden Boot last season alongside Liverpool team-mate Mo Salah and Arsenal ’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
He had already scored 13 times this season ahead of yesterday’s game against Bournemouth , as Jurgen Klopp’s men stormed clear at the top of the league table.
Messi admitted that even he voted for Mane in the Ballon d’Or poll – and Blind believes that choice was not just a cynical decision to hamper Van Dijk’s bid.
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Blind added: “Do you know why Messi voted for Mane? Because great players recognise other great players.
“I don’t compare Mane to Messi. I think Sadio is much more like Cristiano Ronaldo in his very best years.
“Ronaldo was so physically and mentally strong.
“Sadio is like a massive rock of granite and yet so dynamic at the same time – just like Ronaldo was for so many years.
“It is right that people are finally taking notice of Mane as an incredibly special player.
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“He has been producing these top performances – like he did this week against Everton in the derby – for more than three years.
“Sadio deserves to be recognised alongside the best attacker in the world, Messi.
“Football fans in Europe should take notice of what Sadio is doing in English football, where matches are at a very high level and tempo.
“Now Mane must win as many trophies as he can, starting with the Premier League title.”
