Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane has boosted his bid to win the FIFA Ballond'or this year after he played a part in the FA Cup title triumph enjoyed by his team on Saturday. Senegalese international Mane is one of the major contenders for the FIFA Ballond'or as he has had a phenomenal year. The other major contenders for the FIFA Ballond'or this year are Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah, Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) attacker KylianMbappe.
Mane began the year by winning the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cameroon. He scored the winning penalty as his Senegal team beat Egypt on penalties in the final. The Liverpool forward was the main man for Senegal at the AFCON tournament.
Liverpool star Mane also played his part as Senegal beat Egypt on penalties once again to win a place at this year's FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia. Senegal had lost 1-0 in the first leg of their World Cup playoff tie with Egypt away from home before they recorded the same scoreline in the second leg at home to draw level in the tie thus leading to penalties after extra time could not separate the two teams in the second leg. Mane and his Senegalese teammates then prevailed at the end of penalty shootout to join Tunisia, Morocco, Ghana and Cameroon as the five African representatives in Qatar.
Mane returned to Liverpool from the AFCON tournament to win both the FA Cup title and Carabao Cup title. Liverpool won the two titles by beating Premier League rivals Chelsea on penalties. They are also in the Champions League final where they would face Spanish champions Real Madrid. Liverpool are in the Premier League title race with Manchester City as well with the final game of the league season scheduled to take place on Sunday evening.
