Mane was snubbed for Ballon d'Or because he is African, claims Kouyate

Sadio Mane and Cheikhou Kouyate (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Cheikhou Kouyate believes international teammate Sadio Mane was overlooked for the Ballon d'Or because he is African.

Mane finished in fourth in the running for the prestigious prize behind Lionel Messi, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a fine 2019, scoring 54 goals for club and country last term as he helped Liverpool to the Champions League.

Mane also led Senegal to second place at AFCON and Kouyate insists his teammate would have landed the award had he not been African.

Crystal Palace midfielder Kouyate told Mirror Sport: “For me this Ballon D’or is for Sadio Mane, there is no doubt about that.

"Listen, if Sadio was a Brazilian or a European there would not have been no debate.

"It would have been him for the award straight away and it’s not because I play with him at international level, or because I know him, it’s just what people who watch football feel.

"Just go back and watch what he did for both club and country and you will see in between the lines that no one has been better than him.

“We all know that Messi is really good, maybe the greatest player, but last season come on.

"Maybe I have to speak to him to up his social media game and start wearing expensive stuff to stand a better chance.

"Maybe it’s not just football that they look at because there is no way three people had a better season than him.

"It’s just unbelievable how some people are judged but that is not fair.”

Mane will be back in action on Wednesday night against Everton in the Merseyside derby as Liverpool bid to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.