Chelsea star Edouard Mendy questions his surprise Ballon d'Or snub
Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy reveals he is ‘wondering’ whether his Ballon d’Or snub was because he doesn’t play for France… but insists missing out on the 30-man shortlist ‘motivates’ and ‘pushes’ him
- Edouard Mendy was one of the biggest names to miss out on the 30-man list
- He initially said it was not an ‘injustice’ but has now questioned the decision
- Chelsea star Mendy says the snub may be because he doesn’t play for France
- Mendy has dazzled at Stamford Bridge since arriving in the summer of last year
Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has questioned his surprise Ballon d’Or snub and claims the decision may have been because of his nationality.
Mendy, 29, has starred for his club since joining from Rennes, having won the Champions League and dazzled in the Premier League, but missed out on the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious award.
Initially, the stopper insisted it was not an ‘injustice’ to not receive a nomination, but has now taken aim at the process and believes he would have made the cut if he had played for France instead.
Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has questioned his snub from the Ballon d’Or shortlist
Speaking to Canal Plus, Senegal star Mendy said: ‘It’s something that motivates me and pushes me to work. Honestly, I am wondering.
‘If I had played for France and had taken part in the [European Championships], would we have this debate and this reflection?’
A number of his team-mates have revealed their shock at Mendy’s absence, although last month, the in-form player himself took a more level-headed stance.
Mendy has starred for the club since arriving in the summer of 2020 but missed out this year
‘Do I think it’s an injustice? No, I wouldn’t use that word,’ he also told Canal Plus.
‘It’s something that motivates me to go forward, to work and to perform at club level and with my country.
‘As I said after the game with the national team, it’s the journalists’ freedom of vote and expression, and they vote honourably and conscientiously.’
Mendy arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2020 as part of Frank Lampard’s spending spree, and has since gone on to become one of the club’s top performers.
The prestigious award (pictured) is given to the best footballer in the world on a yearly basis
As a result, Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly, who both also represent Senegal, expressed their surprise with the former labelling the snub ‘unacceptable’.
‘It’s a real shame that Edou isn’t one of them. He is the first African goalkeeper to win the Champions League,’ Napoli centre back Koulibaly explained.
‘We must continue to work and move forward. We have to do the double [the work] of some people to be well judged.
‘Edou is a very positive person. We talked about it together.
Mendy believes his absence from the shortlist may be because he is not a France international
‘He will continue to fight to be part of it. For me, he has a place among these 30 players.’
Five of Mendy’s club-mates have been nominated, meanwhile, with Jorginho among the favourites after a glistening, trophy-laden year.
Defender Cesar Azpilicueta, midfielders Mason Mount and N’Golo Kante, and striker Romelu Lukaku are also in contention.
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