Ballon d'Or: The best rankings of Africans in history | OneFootball

The top Ballon d'Or rankings achieved by African players

Mané/@l'internaute

While only one African has ever achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Ballon d'Or—George Weah in 1995—other representatives from the continent have come close or secured a place in the prestigious Top 10.

After "Mister Georges," it took until 2009 for another African star to shake up the hierarchy and break into the Top 10. That player was Samuel Eto'o, who finished fifth in 2005. The Cameroonian striker repeated his achievement by finishing sixth in 2006.

Didier Drogba, the Ivorian forward for Chelsea’s Blues, also earned several impressive Ballon d'Or finishes. He ranked 4th in 2007, 8th in both 2006 and 2012, and 9th in 2009 and 2010.

We should also salute the exploits of Sadio Mané (2nd in 2022 and 4th in 2019) and Mohamed Salah (5th in both 2019 and 2022), who have proudly represented Africa on the global stage.

Africans in the Ballon d'Or Top 10:

1st: George Weah in 1995

2nd: Sadio Mané in 2022

3rd: None

4th: Didier Drogba in 2007 and Sadio Mané in 2019

5th: Samuel Eto'o in 2005 and Mohamed Salah (2019 and 2022)

6th: Samuel Eto'o (2006) and Mohamed Salah (2018)

7th: Riyad Mahrez (2016) and Mohamed Salah (2021)

8th: Samuel Eto'o (2011), Didier Drogba (2006 and 2012), and Victor Osimhen (2023)

9th: Didier Drogba (2009 and 2010)

10th: Samuel Eto'o (2005) and Riyad Mahrez (2019)