Since George Weah’s historic 1995 Ballon d’Or victory as the only African to win the prestigious award, several African footballers have come close to joining him on the podium but they never won it.
This article looks at top African players who had great careers but were not able to stand on the Ballon d’Or podium.
Sadio Mané, the Senegalese forward, achieved the highest finish for an African since George Oppong Weah, securing second place in 2022 behind Karim Benzema.
Mané’s stellar 2021-22 season with Liverpool, where he scored 23 goals and provided 14 assists, coupled with his pivotal role in Senegal’s first-ever AFCON triumph after scoring the decisive penalty in the final against Egypt propelled him to the runner-up spot.
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Samuel Eto’o, Cameroon’s prolific striker, came close in 2009, finishing fifth after a treble-winning season with Barcelona, scoring 36 goals in 52 matches, including crucial strikes in the Champions League final.
Eto’o’s nine nominations which is the most by any other African underscore his consistent excellence, though he never entered the top three.
Didier Drogba, the Ivorian icon was 4th in 2007 after a remarkable season with Chelsea, scoring 33 goals in 60 matches and winning the Premier League Golden Boot.
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His physicality and clutch performances, including six Champions League goals, made him a strong contender, yet he was edged out by Kaká, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi.
Mohamed Salah, Egypt’s talisman, twice finished fifth in 2019 and 2022 following sensational seasons with Liverpool, where his 44 goals in 2017-18 and Champions League triumph in 2019 brought him close to the podium.
Victor Osimhen also made history in 2023, finishing eighth, the highest ranking for a Nigerian, after scoring 31 goals to lead Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years.
These near misses highlight the immense talent of african players, who continue to challenge the award’s historical bias toward attacking players from Europe and South America, with Achraf Hakimi’s 2025 nomination signaling hope for future African success.
ALL/JE
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