Demba Ba, who joined Beşiktaş from Chelsea in the summer, is regaining form and confidence in Turkey. As he settles into his new club, he’s also speaking out about a topic close to many African footballers’ hearts: discrimination and undervaluation in the football world.
In a candid interview, Ba addressed the lack of recognition for African players:
“Unfortunately, African players are not treated with the same value as English players or European players. That’s how it is. That’s why Yaya Touré never wins the Player of the Year award. Probably. I don’t blame anyone. But that’s how it is,” said the Senegalese striker.
His comments reflect a widely shared sentiment among African players and fans who feel that African talent is often overlooked or undervalued, despite outstanding individual and team performances.
Key Points:
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Demba Ba is establishing himself at Beşiktaş after leaving Chelsea.
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He feels African players don’t receive the same recognition as their European counterparts.
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He cites Yaya Touré as a prime example of a world-class player being overlooked for top individual awards.
His statement resonates within ongoing conversations about racial and regional inequality in global football, where performance on the pitch doesn’t always align with recognition off it.
