Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane (L) vies with Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Fred (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 20, 2019 AFP
Liverpool's Senegalese forward Sadio Mane said on Sunday he is flattered by Argentine football star Lionel Messi voting for him in the FIFA awards.
Mane came in fifth in the final list behind Lionel Messi, Virgil Van Dijk, five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo and Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah respectively.
FIFA revealed the selections of the national team skippers, which showed that Messi picked Sadio Mane as first choice ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Frenkie de Jong.
"It’s a great compliment when Messi votes for you," Mane said on Sunday
"If you look at where I came from, it shows I’ve come quite far.
"All I can say [to kids] is to keep working hard and go for your dream."
The Senegalese forward netted 26 goals last season in all fronts, helping him to joint golden boot success in the Premier League with teammate Mohamed Salah and Arsenal Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
This term, he scored four Premier League goals in seven appearances, one short of Liverpool's top scorer Salah.
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