Why Africa keeps missing the Ballon d’Or as Yaya opens new frontier
- In 30 years, only one African has finished in the top three of the Ballon d’Or. Mané in 2022, second behind Karim Benzema.
- The Ballon d’Or has historically weighted World Cup performances heavily. African nations have never won a World Cup.
In Seattle, USA
George Weah won the Ballon d’Or in 1995. That sentence has hung over the continent for 30 years. No African has won it since, and this week it hung a little heavier. The shortlist came out with 30 names and only two Africans on it, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco and Sadio Mané of Senegal. Neither has a realistic path to the podium, let alone the trophy.
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Uefa President’s Award: Too little, too late for the King they didn’t crown
The award to Thierry Henry is a clumsy apology arriving late and limp, hoping nostalgia will disguise cowardice.
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PSG and France forward Dembele wins Ballon d'Or
The 28-year-old was instrumental in PSG's first Champions League triumph.
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