George Weah, Sadio Mane Lead in Top 5 Best Finishes for African Players in Ballon d’Or History

• George Weah is the only African player that has won the prestigious Ballon d'Or
• A number of players from the continent have also come close to winning the prestigious prize
• Here, Sports Brief takes a look at the top five finishes for Africans in the Ballon d'Or rankings

AC Milan legend, George Weah is the only African footballer to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or, claiming the prize in 1995.

That year was the first time players born outside Europe received votes for the prize, and the Liberian superstar scooped it.

The accolade became subject to the biggest and most significant format tweak in its history – a rule change that most fans of the sport could agree was long overdue.

But since then, no African has won the prize, but a number of players from the continent have come close.

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Here are the five African players with the best finishes in Ballon d’Or history, as per History of Soccer.

5. Mohamed Salah

The impressive Egyptian international finished in the top 6 in 2018 and 2019 and then finished fifth in the 2022 Ballon d’Or rankings.

That year, the Liverpool man won the Community Shield, EFL Cup, and FA Cup and complemented them with the Premier League Golden Boot and playmaker award after scoring 23 goals and providing fourteen assists.

4. Samuel Eto’o

The Cameroonian legend was nominated for the Ballon d’Or on ten occasions in his career. In 2009, Eto’o finished fifth, after winning the Champions League, La Liga, and Copa del Rey with Barcelona.

He helped Cameroon to finish as runners-up in the 2008 AFCON tournament, where he finished as top scorer.

Eto’o made the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2004, finishing 15th.

3. Didier Drogba

During the 2002/2007 season, Ivorian superstar Didier Drogba helped Chelsea to win the FA Cup, EFL Cup, and Premier League Golden Boot with 20 goals.

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He had just won back-to-back Premier League titles, and in 2007, he finished fourth in the Ballon d’Or rankings.

Kaka won the prize that year, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in second and third positions, respectively.

It was the closest for an African; however, Frederic Kanoute edged him to the CAF Player of the Year Award that year.

2. Sadio Mane

Mane was announced as the runner-up in the 2022 Ballon d’Or rankings. The Senegalese had a sensational 2021-2022 season, winning the EFL Cup and FA Cup and finishing as runners-up with Liverpool in the Champions League.

That year, he helped the Teranga Lions to win their first-ever AFCON title as they also secured a place in the FIFA World Cup.

Mane finished 23rd in 2017, 22nd in 2018, and then jumped all the way up to 4th in 2019.

1. George Weah

Weah was regarded as one of the best strikers in world football in the 1990s and was crowned the world’s best player in 1995.

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The Liberian football legend was lethal in front of goal, with amazing qualities, including speed, stamina, work rate, finishing, and technical ability.

He won the Ligue 1 in the 1994–95 season, the Coupe de France, and the Coupe de la Ligue. He also won the FIFA World Player of the Year award that season.

Messi hails Benzema over Ballon d'Or

Sports Brief earlier reported that Lionel Messi expressed his perspective on Karim Benzema's inaugural Ballon d'Or victory last year.

With seven Golden Balls already in possession, Messi believes the Frenchman deserved the esteemed individual accolade for his outstanding performances during the 2021/2022 season.

Messi has now offered insights into his thoughts on Benzema's triumph, as revealed in the upcoming documentary 'Ballon d'Or 2022: The Race Towards Eternity,' set to be aired by L'Equipe.