Mendy Expresses Surprise At Ballon d’Or Snub

Senegalese and Chelsea FC of England shot-stopper Edouard Mendy has slammed organizers of the Ballon d’Or for failing to include his name in the shortlist for players eligible to win the prize for this year.

Mendy, 29, was instrumental to Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League triumph last season, establishing a record-tying nine clean sheets in the competition. Chelsea stars such as N’Golo Kante, Cesar Azipilicueta, Jorginho, Mason Mount, and summer recruit Romelu Lukaku were all nominated for the prize but the Senegalese national team goalkeeper was snubbed.

In October, Mendy failed to admit to his snub for the coveted prize as “injustice,’’ saying: “Do I think it’s an injustice? No, I wouldn’t use that word.

“It’s something that motivates me to go forward, to work and be performing at club level and with my country, and 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.”

However, Mendy during an interview with Canal+ has questioned his omission from the list, and asked if he would be exempted from the list if he were between the sticks for a European nation.

 “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?,” Mendy asked.

Mendy’s omission from the Ballon d’Or list has also been questioned by some footballers such as his national teammate Kalidou Koulibaly who described it as a “shame.’’

Source

Canal+

Featured Image Source: Getty