With only days left until the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony on 28th October, the football world is once again brimming with anticipation. As global icons like Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland remain favorites, Africa has also produced a roster of world-class talent that has significantly shaped the Ballon d’Or history. Since the prize opened to non-European players in 1995, African footballers have dominated their domestic leagues and earned recognition on the grandest of global stages.
This year, African footballers continue their quest for international accolades. Stars like Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, and Yassine Bounou are celebrated as the modern torchbearers of African football, following in the footsteps of legends such as George Weah, the only African to have won the Ballon d’Or to date.
In the build-up to this year’s award, let’s revisit the remarkable achievements of African footballers who have impacted this prestigious award.
1. George Weah: Africa’s Trailblazer
When George Weah won the Ballon d’Or in 1995, he not only etched his name in history as the first—and only—African player to clinch the prestigious award but also became a symbol of African football’s global ascendance. Playing for AC Milan then, Weah dominated European football, netting 11 goals in 26 appearances and helping the Rossoneri secure the Scudetto.
His Ballon d’Or win with 144 votes against Jurgen Klinsmann’s 108 opened the door for future African footballers on the global stage. Beyond the Ballon d’Or, Weah also secured the FIFA World Player of the Year title in 1995.
Weah’s recognition came at a pivotal moment, proving that African players could compete with the best the world had to offer. His achievement continues to inspire young African talents, demonstrating that greatness knows no borders.
2. Finidi George: The Nigerian Star of 1995
In the same year as George Weah’s Ballon d’Or triumph, Finidi George, another African football icon, emerged as a standout performer. Finidi, who enjoyed a successful season with Ajax Amsterdam, received six votes and finished joint 21st in the rankings. His spectacular season with Ajax saw him win five titles, including the prestigious UEFA Champions League and the Eredivisie, firmly establishing his position as one of Nigeria’s all-time greats.
While Finidi never replicated this recognition in subsequent years, his 1995 performances showcased the breadth of African talent and helped further Africa’s presence in elite European football.
3. Nwankwo Kanu: Nigeria’s Golden Boy
In 1996, Nwankwo Kanu, another Nigerian legend, added his name to the Ballon d’Or history books. Kanu had risen to prominence with Ajax, scoring 13 goals in the Eredivisie before securing a move to Inter Milan. He received 14 votes in that year’s Ballon d’Or, finishing ahead of George Weah, marking a significant moment in African football.
Kanu’s career, however, was not defined by individual accolades alone. His leadership, on-field intelligence, and perseverance through health challenges made him one of his generation’s most admired African footballers. Kanu’s Ballon d’Or recognition extended beyond 1996. He earned two additional votes in 1999, showcasing his enduring talent and status in world football.
4. El-Hadji Diouf & Papa Bouba Diop
In 2002, Senegal had a great year in football. Although they narrowly missed winning the Africa Cup of Nations, they made it to the final, and then followed up by reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup. This made them only the second African nation to achieve this feat at the time. Players like Diouf and Diop, both of whom received two votes in the Ballon d’Or voting, were key figures in these tournaments.
Diouf performed exceptionally well in the games in Japan and South Korea, while Diop scored the winning goal as Senegal defeated the reigning world and European champions, France, 1-0 in the World Cup opener. The former, in particular, excelled in the fields of Japan and South Korea, while the latter netted the winner as Senegal defeated reigning world and European champions France 1-0 in the World Cup opener.
5. Samuel Eto’o: Africa’s Most Consistent Contender
No African player has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or more times than Samuel Eto’o. The Cameroonian striker received votes in eight consecutive years between 2004 and 2012, making him Africa’s most enduring presence in the award’s history. Eto’o’s achievements are staggering—he won three UEFA Champions League titles, numerous domestic trophies with Barcelona and Inter Milan, and was consistently one of the best forwards in world football.
Eto’o’s versatility, speed, and finishing ability made him a force to be reckoned with. Despite never winning the Ballon d’Or, his regular appearances in the rankings—alongside the best in the world—cemented his legacy as one of Africa’s greatest football exports.
6. Didier Drogba: The Chelsea Hero
Didier Drogba is another African footballer who left an indelible mark on the global stage. The Ivorian striker received his first Ballon d’Or votes in 2004, the same year as Samuel Eto’o. However, Drogba’s most remarkable year was 2007, when he finished fourth in the Ballon d’Or standings behind Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi. His exceptional performances for Chelsea, including scoring the crucial equalizer and winning penalty in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final, made him a household name.
Drogba’s blend of physicality, leadership, and clinical finishing made him one of the world’s most feared strikers, and his Ballon d’Or nominations are a testament to his exceptional career.
Read: Ademola Lookman Nominated for 2024 Ballon d’Or Following Superb Season
7. Yaya Touré: The Midfield Maestro
Few African midfielders have enjoyed the same level of global recognition as Yaya Touré. Between 2009 and 2015, the Ivorian midfielder received five Ballon d’Or nominations, establishing himself as one of the best players of his generation. Touré’s blend of power, technical ability, and scoring prowess was critical in Manchester City’s rise to dominance in the Premier League.
His first Ballon d’Or nomination came in 2009 after winning the Champions League with Barcelona. Touré’s influence extended beyond club football; he was also a central figure in Ivory Coast’s international successes, including their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations triumph.
8. Riyad Mahrez: The Leicester Miracle
Riyad Mahrez became a global sensation during Leicester City’s fairy-tale run to the Premier League title in 2016. The Algerian winger’s mesmerizing dribbling and playmaking ability earned him a seventh-place finish in the 2016 Ballon d’Or, a remarkable achievement for a player from a mid-table club. Mahrez continued to shine at Manchester City, winning multiple league titles and contributing to their domestic and European success, before moving to Saudi Pro League club, Al-Ahli.
9. Sadio Mane: Senegal’s Leading Star
Senegal’s Sadio Mane has been one of Africa’s most prominent footballers in recent years. His second-place finish in the 2022 Ballon d’Or—the highest placement by an African since George Weah’s win—highlighted his importance to Liverpool and the Senegalese national team. Mane’s performances in Liverpool’s Champions League and Premier League-winning campaigns, along with leading Senegal to their first Africa Cup of Nations title, have made him one of the brightest stars on the continent.
10. Michael Essien
Drogba’s Chelsea teammate Essien received votes in two separate years: 2005 and 2007. 2005, of course, was the year when the Bison ended his time in France at Olympique Lyonnais with a Ligue 1 winner’s medal before moving to Chelsea, where he’d go on to clinch another title in 2006.
In terms of performances, however, perhaps 2006-07 was Essien’s zenith; he was named Chelsea’s Player of the Year, and Ghana’s Player of the Year and won two domestic cups. It’s tantalizing to imagine what he could have achieved over the subsequent years had injury not intervened.
From George Weah’s groundbreaking victory in 1995 to Sadio Mane’s runner-up finish in 2022, African footballers have consistently proven they belong on the world’s biggest stage. As we approach the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony on 28th October, the anticipation is high for the continent’s next footballing superstar to follow in Weah’s footsteps.
Will Africa ever see another Ballon d’Or winner? The talent pool continues to deepen, and with the likes of Victor Osimhen, Mohamed Salah, and Riyad Mahrez representing the continent, that possibility is closer than ever.
What are your thoughts on this year’s Ballon d’Or nominees? Could Africa have another winner soon? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!