Because he is not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has indicated that Sadio Mane may need to win the Champions League if he is to win the Ballon d'Or in 2022.

Klopp remarked this after Mane scored a hat trick in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Villarreal in the Champions League semi-final first leg at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Mane has been on fire for Liverpool in recent weeks, and his form has made a difference as Liverpool continues to chase an unprecedented quadruple.

When asked if Mane had a chance to win the Ballon d'Or this year, Klopp said it was too early to tell.

The German, however, praised the Senegalese for their brilliance this season, but added that he does not completely understand the Ballon d’Or nominations.

“Mane has had an outstanding season and is an outstanding player. I have nothing to do with the Ballon d’Or nominations. I don’t understand it 100%, "Klopp said, as quoted by The Liverpool Echo.

He is world-class. He again played a really good game for us, but I don’t know how I can answer with "with the season not even over.”

He added, “Historically, we have to win something to win the Ballon d’Or. Most of the time, it was like this. If you are not Messi or Ronaldo, you have to probably win the Champions League, which we have not done yet.

Give us a few more weeks and we will see where we end up. Sadio wants to contribute, he wants to help the team, and that is what I love most about it, "he added.