The Unfulfilled Ballon d’Or Dreams of Kylian Mbappé, Thierry Henry, and Samuel Eto'o

The Ballon d’Or represents the highest form of individual achievement in football. Winning this prestigious award solidifies a player’s status as one of the world’s best. Over the past two decades, several footballers who performed consistently at an elite level were overlooked for the Ballon d'Or. Among them are Kylian Mbappé, Thierry Henry, and Samuel Eto'o—legends whose names deserve to be mentioned alongside the award’s winners.

This article delves into the careers of these football icons, exploring why each should have won the Ballon d’Or during their peak. Moreover, it poses a critical question: Did racial bias play a role in their exclusion?

Kylian Mbappé: The Prodigy Who Should Have Been Crowned

Kylian Mbappé took the football world by storm as a teenager, especially after his brilliant performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. His blistering speed, refined skill, and composure in front of goal propelled France to World Cup glory, earning him the Best Young Player award. Yet despite his consistent excellence, Mbappé is still waiting for his first Ballon d'Or.

2018: Mbappé’s Golden Year

In 2018, Mbappé played a pivotal role in France’s World Cup triumph, scoring four goals, including one in the final. His performances were phenomenal, and many believed he was a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or. However, the award went to Luka Modric, whose year with Real Madrid and Croatia earned him the top honor. While Modric’s achievements were commendable, Mbappé’s critical role in France’s World Cup win seemed to make an even stronger case for the young star.

2022: Mbappé’s Continued Excellence

Mbappé’s Ballon d’Or snubs didn’t stop there. In 2022, despite being the driving force behind a mediocre French team that reached the World Cup final, Mbappé finished sixth in the Ballon d’Or rankings. His incredible performances, including his hat-trick in the World Cup final, showcased him as the tournament’s best player, but once again, the rules appeared to change. While Messi was awarded the Ballon d’Or, many fans and pundits questioned how Mbappé was left out of the top three.

Thierry Henry: The Arsenal Legend Deserving of the Ballon d’Or

Thierry Henry is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers to have ever played the game. His time at Arsenal cemented his legendary status, with incredible goal-scoring feats and moments of brilliance. Yet, despite his iconic career, Henry never managed to win the Ballon d’Or.

2003: Henry’s Unstoppable Season

Henry’s 2003 season was nothing short of extraordinary. Scoring 24 goals and providing 20 assists in the Premier League, he was easily one of the best players in world football. However, the Ballon d’Or that year went to Pavel Nedved, whose performances in the Champions League were deemed more significant. While Nedved's contributions were noteworthy, many argue Henry's consistency and impact throughout the season deserved greater recognition.

2004: The Invincible Season

Henry played a leading role in Arsenal’s famous ‘Invincible’ 2003-2004 season, where the team went unbeaten in the Premier League. Despite his significant contribution, the Ballon d’Or went to Andriy Shevchenko. Though Shevchenko’s performances were incredible, Henry’s pivotal role in the Invincible season makes a strong case that the award should have gone to the Arsenal man.

Samuel Eto’o: The African Maestro Overlooked

Samuel Eto’o is one of the most decorated African footballers of all time. Known for his clinical finishing and leadership on the pitch, Eto’o was an instrumental figure for clubs like Barcelona and Inter Milan. Despite his brilliant career, Eto’o never won the Ballon d’Or, with his best finish being fifth in 2009.

2005: Eto’o at Barcelona

In 2005, Eto’o scored 29 goals for Barcelona, helping them secure the La Liga title. Despite his consistent performances, the Ballon d’Or that year went to his teammate Ronaldinho. While Ronaldinho’s flair and creativity captured the world’s attention, Eto’o’s goal-scoring consistency was equally deserving of recognition.

2010: Eto’o’s Treble-Winning Season

In 2010, Eto’o was a key player in Inter Milan’s historic treble under Jose Mourinho, scoring crucial goals across multiple competitions. Despite his pivotal role in Inter’s success, the Ballon d’Or went to Lionel Messi. Eto’o’s exclusion from the top three was surprising, given his immense contributions to Inter’s Champions League and Serie A victories.

Racial Bias in Ballon d’Or Voting?

The consistent exclusion of Mbappé, Henry, and Eto’o from winning the Ballon d’Or raises uncomfortable questions about potential racial bias in the voting process. The award is determined by votes from journalists around the world, but the subjective nature of the voting leaves room for biases to emerge. Historically, black players have been underrepresented among Ballon d’Or winners, with George Weah remaining the only African player to win the award (in 1995).

The achievements of Mbappé, Henry, and Eto’o are undeniable. Their exclusion suggests that biases—whether conscious or unconscious—may have influenced the voting process.

Kylian Mbappé, Thierry Henry, and Samuel Eto’o are football legends whose contributions to the game cannot be overstated. The fact that none of them has won the Ballon d'Or is a glaring oversight that warrants deeper scrutiny. While the exact reasons for their exclusion may be difficult to pin down, the consistent snubbing of black players for this prestigious award raises questions about fairness and equality in football.

As the sport evolves, it's crucial for the footballing community to ensure that the Ballon d’Or and similar accolades are awarded based purely on merit, leaving no room for bias.

 
FAQs

1. Why hasn’t Kylian Mbappé won the Ballon d’Or yet?
   Mbappé has consistently performed at the highest level, especially in 2018 and 2022. However, the award went to other players who were perceived to have had a more significant impact, such as Luka Modric in 2018 and Lionel Messi in 2022.

2. Why is Thierry Henry considered a Ballon d’Or snub?
Despite being one of the best players in the world during his time, Henry never won the Ballon d’Or. Many believe his contributions to Arsenal, especially during the Invincible season, should have been recognized with the award.

3. Did Samuel Eto’o come close to winning the Ballon d’Or?
Eto’o finished fifth in the 2009 Ballon d’Or voting but was never able to claim the top prize, despite his contributions to Barcelona and Inter Milan during their successful campaigns.

4. Has racial bias impacted Ballon d’Or voting?
While it’s hard to definitively prove racial bias, the exclusion of top black players like Mbappé, Henry, and Eto’o from winning the award has led to speculation that biases may play a role in the voting process.

5. Who is the only African player to have won the Ballon d’Or?
George Weah, the former Liberian striker, remains the only African player to have won the Ballon d’Or, which he achieved in 1995.