Lionel Messi: A 'shame' Sadio Mane did not finish higher in Ballon d'Or rankings

Barcelona star collected a record sixth award in Paris on Monday night

Argentinian striker Lionel Messi and US winger Megan Rapinoe have won the prestigious Ballon d’Or awards, in a ceremony in Paris on Monday night. AFP

Barcelona's soccer player Lionel Messi holds the trophy of the Golden Ball award ceremony in Paris, Monday, Decemer 2, 2019. Messi won the Ballon d'Or for sixth time. AP Photo/Francois Mori

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, right, receives his sixth golden ball from Real Madrid's Lucas Modric during the Golden Ball award ceremony in Paris, Monday, December 2, 2019. AP Photo/Francois Mori

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo (L) and their sons Thiago and Mateo arrive to attend the Ballon d'Or France Football 2019 ceremony at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris on December 2, 2019. AFP / FRANCK FIFE

The Men's 2019 Ballon d'Or winner Barcelona forward Lionel Messi sits behind some of his six Ballon d'Or trophies during the ceremony at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, 2 December 2019. EPA/YOAN VALAT

Barcelona's Lionel Messi with his six Ballon d'Or trophies. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

United States' forward Megan Rapinoe celebrates scoring her team's first goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup quarter-final football match between France and United States, on June 28, 2019, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. AFP / FRANCK FIFE

US player Megan Rapinoe is connected via video link as she is announced 2019 Women's Ballon d'Or winner during the ceremony at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, December, 2 2019. EPA/YOAN VALAT

Barcelona star Lionel Messi said it was a "shame" Liverpool forward Sadio Mane did not finish higher up the Ballon d'Or rankings after an "exceptional" year.

In what could be perceived as an apparent dig at long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who placed third behind Messi and Mane's Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk, the Argentine forward explained why he wanted to see the Senegalese player finish higher.

"It's a shame to see Mane finish in fourth place," Messi told television channel Canal+ days after collecting his record sixth Ballon d'Or trophy. "But I think there have been a lot of great players this year.

"That's why it was difficult to choose a particular player. But I chose Sadio Mane (for Fifa The Best award) because he's a player that I like.

"Mane achieved a great year that was exceptional for the entire Liverpool team. That's why I chose him. I repeat, there were a lot of very great players this year, so the choice was difficult."

Mane has enjoyed an exceptional 12 months, during which he has played a key part in Liverpool's Champions League triumph and helped the club to an eight-point lead in this season's Premier League.

On the international stage, Mane led Senegal to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations where they lost to Algeria.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, decided to snub the Ballon d'Or ceremony preferring instead to attend the Gran Gala del Calcio to collect an award for Serie A's best player.