Sadio Mane has revealed his pride at receiving Lionel Messi's vote for FIFA World Player of the Year, ahead of Monday's Ballon d'Or shortlist announcement.
Messi and Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk are among the frontrunners to scoop the 2019 award, but who would Mane rate as the very best between the pair?
Speaking with the Sunday Times, Mane - slightly tongue-in-cheek - revealed that the Barcelona superstar would just edge his fellow Red.
Asked if he would vote for Messi, he replied: "Yes, for sure...after Virgil [Van Dijk]. No, Virgil is a great, great player but sorry Virgil, it has to be Messi before you.