Why African players have consistently performed poorly at Ballon d'Or Awards

3 weeks ago 30

Rodri defied all the odds to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or Award, beating Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior in the process
Ademola Lookman was the highest-ranked African player, with the Super Eagles forward finishing in 14th place
Africans continue to struggle at these awards, with George Weah the only player from the continent to have won it

The 68th edition of the Ballon d'Or Awards took place on Monday night as the best in football congregated in Paris, France.

Rodri stunned a majority of fans by beating Vinicius Junior to be crowned as the best player in world football. Aitana Bonmati, meanwhile, successfully retained her title as the best in the women's game.

Rodri, Ballon d'Or 2024, Aitana Bonmati, Ademola Lookman

But even amid all the glamour, pomp, and colour in Western Europe, it wasn't lost on us that Africa has struggled over the years at these awards.

Has an African ever won a Ballon d'Or award?

1995 was the last and only time an African player had won the award. Liberia's George Weah pipped Germany's Jurgen Klinsmann and Finland's Jari Litmanen to become the first African player to win it.

After that, Africa was forced to wait for 27 years for another podium finish. Sadio Mane was second by a distance when Karim Benzema won in 2022, as captured by Euro Sport.

Who are some of the great African players?

For a continent that has produced greats like Samuel Eto'o, Mohamed Salah, Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba and many others, it surely can't be lack of talent as one of the reasons.

Salah has arguably been one of the best players in the Premier League in recent seasons, but even with his monstrous returns, the best he has gotten is fifth-place (twice).

Where did Ademola Lookman finish in 2024 Ballon d'Or?

This year, Nigeria's Ademola Lookman was the only African who made it into the 30-man shortlist. The Atalanta forward eventually finished in 14th place after helping his club win the Europa League.

Why African players hardly get recognised at Ballon d'Or

Harambee Stars midfielder Kenneth Muguna believes more should be done to hype and boost the profile and image of African players.

"Africans struggle a lot because we don’t give them enough PR or hype their fellow Europeans and South Americans get back at home," he tells Legit.ng"The media, fans and even our organizations don't hype the players to the level that they can be considered for big individual awards."

George Weah speaks on Africans performance at Ballon d'Or

The 2016 Kenya's Most Valuable Player of the Year opines that many world-class acts from the continent should easily have won the award.

"I believe someone like Eto'o, Yaya Toure, Mane or even Salah have had seasons where they could have easily won it."

Speaking at the Ballon d'Or Awards on Monday, Weah reiterated his belief that Africa will soon win another Ballon d'Or.

"We are sure it will come. We have good talents, and we will have another Ballon d'Or soon."

This season, Salah is among the African players who have started off on the right foot. The Egyptian is still the main man in Liverpool's attack despite the change of managerial guard in the summer.