Samuel Eto’o Explains Why It Is Hard for an African to Win Ballon d’Or Award

• Samuel Eto'o isn't sure about an African winning the Ballon d'Or
• Liberian legend George Weah is the last player to win the award
• Several players, including Eto'o, have finished in the top 10 a few times

George Weah was the first and last African footballer to win the Ballon d'Or.

The Liberian won the prestigious award in 1995, but another African player has never replicated that.

Legendary Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o doesn't understand why Africans are not winning the award.

Since 2000, a few African players have come close. Sadio Mane finished second in 2022 behind Karim Benzema.

Mohamed Salah has finished in the top 10 three times (2018, 2019, 2022) since thr turn of the millennium. Riyad Mahrez finished 10th in 2019. Niggeria's Victor Osimhen finished 8th in the 2023 rankings.

A list of Champions League winners who also won the Ballon d’Or

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Chelsea legend Didier Drogba finished in the top 10 five times, while Eto'o 6th in 2006 and 5th in 2009, per Talksport.

One of the major reasons why no African has gotten close is because of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's dominance in the 2010s. It is unlikely that we could see an African win it in the next few years.

Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe are regarded as the two best players in the world right now. Osimhen appears to be the only African player that could challenge the two.

Eto'o on African winning Ballon d'Or

In an interview with France 24, the Barcelona and Inter Milan legend appears to question the criteria for selecting the winner of the award.

"It's a good question but does the Ballon d'Or policy allow Africans to win it?"

"Is there injustice? I do not think so. But there was Yaya Touré at one point who was the best player in the world. Yaya Touré, for two or three seasons, was the best player in England, even the best player in the world. And he never won this European Ballon d'Or."

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"So does this policy really allow Africans to win? This is a question we must ask ourselves."

Reigning African Footballer of the Year, Osimhen, if he continues with his form will likely get close to winning the award.

Eto'o accused of match-fixing in Cameroon

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Samuel Eto'o has been accused of match-fixing after another controversy hit his time as president of FECAFOOT.

The former Barcelona and Inter Milan forward assumed office in December 2021 as president of the federation.

However, three years later, there is little to nothing to show for it as claims of abuse of power, corruption, bribery and match-fixing continue to pile up against the former Barcelona man.