Mane was best player at AFCON 2021, could win Ballon d'Or - Klopp snubs Salah

Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp has said Sadio Mane was the best player at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations.

Klopp stated that the 29-year-old is now one of the biggest football legends in Senegal and could be in the race to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or prize.

Mane came face-to-face with Reds team mate Mohamed Salah in the AFCON final.

After missing an early penalty in the game, Mane went on to score the decisive spot-kick, as his country won the trophy for the first time ever.

"I have no idea. I think it depends a lot on the season - and usually you have to win the Champions League.

"I can't remember who votes for what (the Ballon d'Or), but that's how it seems to work.

"But I couldn't have more respect for what Sadio did.

"He is, for sure, now one of the biggest Senegal legends of all-time - and rightly so.

"I usually have no problem with facing pressure but, when he walked to the penalty, I thought that was a really difficult moment in life! He faced it, he mastered it, and rightly got all the praise.

"He was the best player of the tournament. An incredible achievement for him, an incredible achievement for Senegal," Klopp said.