Sadio Mane was reportedly left unhappy when Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp publicly backed Virgil van Dijk to win the Ballon d'Or instead of him.
Liverpool forward Mane just missed out on finishing in the top three for the coveted prize last year, with Barcelona legend Lionel Messi winning a sixth Golden Ball.
Messi was joined on the podium by long-term rival, and five-time winner of the award, Cristiano Ronaldo, who came third, and Mane's Liverpool team-mate Van Dijk.
The Holland international centre-back had been the favourite to win the award, after a sensational season in which he helped Liverpool win the Champions League.
Mane was of course a part of the same team, and equally responsible for the Reds' success last season.
But Klopp chose to publicly back Van Dijk to win the award, which left Mane with a bad taste in his mouth, according to France Football.
The sensational claim comes amid reports Mane is a Real Madrid transfer target.
Los Blancos are reportedly looking to splash £150million on the Senegal international after boss Zinedine Zidane moved him to the top of his wishlist.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have been linked with a £250million transfer for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, should Mane leave in the summer window.
Both transfers - and particularly the fees - are subject to much change given the uncertainty surrounding the current market sparked by the coronavirus pandemic.
