Sadio Mane should wait until career-defining moment to decide Liverpool future

There's been a lot of talk over Mohamed Salah's future, but what about Sadio Mane's?

Like Salah, Mane is also out of contract in 13 months' time and it's unclear if he will sign an extension. The 30-year-old's importance to Liverpool cannot be understated - scoring 21 goals this season to help them challenge for an unprecedented quadruple. For that, it's believed the Reds will offer him a new £300,000-a-week deal this summer.

Yet it could be a mistake to put pen to paper before this season's Ballon d'Or is handed out in October. Mane is one of the favourites to win the award and agreeing a new deal may not reflect his status as the world's finest footballer - assuming he wins the award.

It's easy to see why Mane is being tipped for the Ballon d'Or. He scored the winning penalty in the shootout to lead Senegal to victory in the Africa Cup of Nations final against Egypt in February. Mane then repeated the trick the following month when the two teams met in a World Cup qualifying play-off. Salah was part of the losing side on both occasions.

Mane's biggest rival for the Ballon d'Or is Karim Benzema - the Real Madrid talisman who's enjoying an extraordinary season at club level. His 43 goals in as many games has helped the Spanish giants win La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup.

The Frenchman has also tasted success with his country, scoring in both the semi-final and final of the Nations League last October. After a six-year exile from the national side, the honour was Benzema's first at senior international level.

Yet the Champions League final is expected to be the clincher for the Ballon d'Or. If Liverpool win, Mane - or maybe even Salah - will take the historic acclaim. If Real win a record 14th European Cup, the prize