Ballon d’Or–Eto’o slams Africa coaches, captains

Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o hopes that this will be the year an African player from the continent wins the Ballon d’Or.

Liberia President, George Weah, remains the only African player to have won the Ballon d’Or in 1995.

“Western media dominate our media in Africa, so they definitely have an influence. People prefer to see a Lionel Messi goal,” Eto’o, 38, told AFP during a visit to Paris last month.

“Why is there this hate between us Africans? Why the misplaced jealousy? If we don’t appreciate one another, others are not going to do it for us,” Eto’o said.

“It’s a shame. If all Africans voted for other Africans, we would have had several awards for the best player.”

The former Barcelona star, once a teammate of Messi, believes that “African players are not respected” and are “not always properly appreciated”.

There are five African players on the 30-man shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or, with the winner to be announced at a ceremony in Paris on December 2.

The 180 journalists who will vote for the successor to Luka Modric as winner have until this Friday to do so.

Among the nominees are Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, both of whom starred in the Liverpool side that won last season’s Champions League.

Eto’o says he has no regrets not winning the award.

Read Also: Count me out of politics, says Cameroon’s legend, Eto’o

“No, because I won so many trophies, I made so many dreams and for me that is the equivalent of winning the Ballon d’Or. However, I do feel for my younger brothers who came along after my generation.”