Sadio Mané for the 2019 Ballon d’Or? The debate is heating up across the African football community. After endorsements from legends like Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba, who both hope to see the Senegalese star crowned on December 2nd, Roger Milla offers a more cautious perspective. The former Cameroonian international expressed skepticism about Mané’s chances, citing the voting system’s bias toward journalists outside Africa.
“It’s those who vote who will give them that chance. I can’t say whether Sadio Mané or Salah will win it. European, South American, and other journalists often don’t share our intentions,” Milla said. He went further, cautioning African stars not to rely too heavily on external voters. “I think Mané and Salah need to be patient, that they shouldn’t rely on those who don’t vote, who don’t have the power to choose them for the Ballon d’Or. I don’t have much faith in it because these Europeans are always trying to fool us, to screw us over… Since the Ballon d’Or was created, Weah managed to win it (1995) because he was on a very big team (AC Milan) and he managed to prove that African football had a certain level. Now, it’s very complicated for Africans.”
Despite Milla’s reservations, the statistics support Mané’s candidacy. His performances over the past season put him on par with some of the world’s best, making him a legitimate contender for football’s most prestigious individual award. On December 2nd, the colorful Ballon d’Or ceremony will reveal whether Mané can defy the odds and earn the recognition he has long deserved.
This debate underscores a wider conversation about African players in global football—exceptional talent that sometimes struggles for recognition due to structural biases in awards voting. Mané’s case highlights both the progress and the challenges faced by African stars on the world stage.
