Mikel: Why Sadio Mane may not win 2019 Ballon d’Or

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 03:13 pm

Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has revealed why Senegal forward Sadio Mane may not win 2019 Ballon d’Or.
The 27-year-old Liverpool star is among the 30-man shortlist for this year’s Europe top individual prize alongside Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo, club teammate Mohamed Salah and others after listed in the shortlist released by France Football a few weeks back.
Ex-Chelsea midfielder told beIN SPORTS. “Mane can win the Golden Ball [Ballon D’ Or], but I think Messi is still on a very different level,”
Mikel also revealed why he joined Trabzonspor after his contract expired with Middlesbrough last summer.
He added: “I chose this place to have a share in Trabzonspor’s successes.
“Trabzonspor’s love for football and the team is indescribable. Onazi and Nwakaeme gave me up-to-date information after I got here.
“The aggression in the Super League is very different from the Premier League. This is a league you have to keep up with.”
Mikel won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, English Premier League twice and three FA Cups during his 11 years at Chelsea before he joined Tianjin TEDA in 2017.