‘I do not understand these things! Sadio Mane slams latest Chelsea Ballon d’Or decisions
Five Chelsea players made the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or as Jorginho, Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante, Cesar Azpilicueta and Romelu Lukaku all made the cut.
However, following this shortlist, Liverpool star Sadio Mane has joined fellow Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly in blasting the decision not to include Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in the nomination for the Ballon d’Or award.
The Liverpool star has said it’s unacceptable for Mendy to be avoided after a stunning season where he won the Champions League with Chelsea.
However, Paris Saint-Germain and Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma was the only goalkeeper to be nominated.
When asked about Mendy’s omission from the Ballon d’Or list, Mane told reporters after Senegal’s win over Namibia at the weekend: “It is unacceptable.
“I do not understand, these are things to deplore.”
“We must not forget that it is journalists who vote. One journalist per country,” the centre-back told the media after Senegal’s World Cup qualifying win over Namibia at the weekend (via Senegalese Wiwsport TV).
“I think there are some countries that favour other players.
“Now it’s a real shame that Edou isn’t one of them. He is the first African goalkeeper to win the Champions League.
“We must continue to work and move forward. We have to do the double [the work] of some people’s to be well judged.
“Edou is a very positive person. We talked about it together. He will continue to fight to be part of it.
“But for me, he has a place among these 30 players.”