Senegalese forward Sadio Manè was ranked second at the 2022 Ballon d’Or awards to become the first African player since 1995 winner George Weah to make it in the top three.
Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema was scooped the award for the first time to also become the second French player to walk home with the prestigious accolade while Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was ranked third.
From finishing 4th last year to finishing 2nd this year, Manè achieved a career-high rank at the France football organized awards to beat African legends Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba’s highest balloon d’Or ranks who both never made it to the top three through out their careers.
Mané last night also become the first player ever to receive the newly created Sócrates award at the Ballon d’Or.
The award has been created to reward those giving back to their communities through football.
Mané built a school and hospital in his home town worth €800,000 among other things which earned him the accolade last night.
