Sports

Ballon d’Or: Thierry Henry Picks Two Players To Win Award This Year

Published

4 years ago

May 5, 2022

Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry has picked Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane as his choice of players for this year’s ballon d’Or.

Both Mane and Benzema will come face to face in the Champions League final in France later this month after Real Madrid and Liverpool secured their places.

Liverpool defeated Villarreal to progress to the final, while Real Madrid saw off Manchester City in the semis.

Benzema, 34, has scored 43 goals in all competitions for the season, netting four times across both legs of the quarter-finals against Chelsea.

Mane, on the other hand, has excelled for Liverpool and Senegal of late, contributing with crucial goals for club and country and could make a ‘strong case’ to win the Ballon d’Or.

But Henry feels Benzema is ‘ahead’ in the race to win the coveted award.

“If you think about the [Champions League] final and to make it even bigger, the two favourites for the Ballon d’Or are Mane and Benzema,” Henry told CBS Sports.

“So that will add a little extra spice into it.

“I still believe that Benzema is ahead, but if Mane wins it with Liverpool and they do make the quadruple, that would be a pretty strong case.

“It would be great for Africa, but I’m still going with Benzema.”

Related Topics:Ballon d’Or Thierry Henry

Up Next

EPL: Roman Abramovich Makes Demands From Chelsea’s New Owners

Don't Miss

Champions League: 13 Clubs Qualify For Next Season’s Competition [Full List]

Comments

Sports

EPL: ‘Go For Alvarez’ – Paul Merson Hands Arsenal Two Signings To Make

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has handed his old club two signings to make in the summer.

Merson wants Arsenal to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and a new midfielder.

“I would get a centre forward this summer, I would go for Julian Alvarez,” Merson said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

“I am a big fan. If they could get him, I would. I still think they probably need another midfield player as well.”

Arsenal is expected to bolster its squad in the summer after winning the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City this season.

Sports

EPL: Wayne Rooney Picks Most Improved Player This Season

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, has picked the Red Devils defender Luke Shaw as the most improved player in the Premier League following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney said, “I think, for me, Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw has been the most improved player this season.

“I know he is an experienced player now, but I think his level this season has been much better than it has been in recent seasons.

“People might look at Kobbie Mainoo but I don’t think he’s improved. It was just the fact he wasn’t playing under the former manager so it wasn’t good or bad.”

Shaw enjoyed one of his most consistent seasons at Man United and started all of Man United’s Premier League games.

Sports

EPL: Maresca Signs Three-year Contract To Replace Guardiola At Man City

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Former Chelsea and Leicester City manager, Enzo Maresca has signed a three-year contract with Manchester City.

Maresca will now replace Pep Guardiola, who took charge of his last game on Sunday – a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, wrote on X on Tuesday: “Enzo Maresca has already signed a three-year deal as Manchester City’s new manager.

“Agreement until June 2029 and new chapter to start soon at #MCFC, with Maresca fully involved in the transfer strategy.

“Here we go, 100% confirmed.”

Maresca has been out of work since he left Stamford Bridge in January this year and has snubbed offers while waiting for the City job.