Liverpool ace, Sadio Mane has insisted that it would be a 'dream' come true for him to win the Ballon D'Or ahead of Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi and Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo
The 27-year-old also described Messi and Ronaldo as 'monsters' in football, adding that he is still nowhere near the level of both the five-time Ballon D'Or winners.
Mane has been included in the 30-man shortlist alongside Messi and Ronaldo for this year's Ballon D'Or, following an impressive year for club and country.
The Senegal international, who has been tipped to win the award ahead of Messi and Ronaldo, was part of the Reds squad that lifted the Champions League in Madrid and missed out on the Premier League title by a point to Man City.
Mane was a joint winner of the Golden Boot in the league and also helped the Teranga Lions to the final of the African Cup of Nations in Egypt earlier this year.
"Honestly, as I've said, it has always been a childhood dream of mine to win the Ballon D'Or," Mane was quoted by Daily Star as saying.
"The fact that I am listed as one of the nominees is due to the fruits of the work that I've been putting in for a long time.
"And if I am able to distinguish myself amongst this collective then of course, the Ballon D'Or, has always been my dream. And when a dream comes true, it is always exceptional.
"All of the Senegalese people, my friends, my family, would be so happy, I would be so happy.
"Eto'o, Drogba, they are legends in Africa and to hear what they are saying about me, it is always nice."
Mane added: "These players [Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi] are monsters. I think that I am still far away from them.
"As I have said, I am going to do everything I can to come a little closer to them."
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