A recent comment by Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp about the Ballon d’Or sparked surprise and criticism, as he appeared to overlook Sadio Mané, one of his own players, who is also in contention for the prestigious award. Speaking on the topic, Klopp only mentioned Virgil van Dijk, saying: “If you give the Ballon d’Or to the best player of this generation, always give it to Lionel Messi. If they give it to the best player of last season, it’s Virgil van Dijk. I don’t know exactly how it will work, but that’s how I see it. If the Ballon d’Or is for the best player, the best player of all, then it’s Lionel. The best player of last season was Virgil. We’ll see.”
His remarks surprised many observers and drew criticism for failing to acknowledge Mané’s contributions. Former Senegalese international El Hadji Diouf, speaking to Radio Futur Médias (RFM), called Klopp’s statement “awkward.” Diouf emphasized that Mané deserves recognition alongside Van Dijk and argued that the coach should have publicly supported both players. “If it was indeed the coach who said that, he was clumsy. Sadio deserves it as much as Van Dijk. And the coach should have protected them both and at least given them a chance to win,” Diouf said, according to Wiwsport.
Diouf also highlighted the key role of Liverpool’s attack in their recent successes. “I believe that today, with what Sadio is showing, he should be more protected by his coach, even though I like Van Dijk. The coach says what he thinks, but today we know that Liverpool’s strength is their attack,” he added.
The incident has sparked debate over the importance of managerial support in high-profile award races and whether players like Mané are given enough recognition for their contributions to the team’s success. Klopp’s focus on Van Dijk, while acknowledging Messi’s generational talent, was seen by some as neglecting the impact of one of the Premier League’s top forwards.
Mané’s stellar performances this season, both domestically and in European competitions, underline his credentials for the Ballon d’Or. Supporters and former players alike have pointed out that a balanced acknowledgment from Klopp could have bolstered Mané’s chances and highlighted Liverpool’s collective strength.
