Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy takes swipe at Ballon d’Or after missing out on the list

Chelsea goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy has reacted in anger after he was snubbed for the Ballon d’Or shortlist.

The 29-year-old Senegalese was integral to the Blues winning the Champions League in his first season at the club earlier this year. Mendy, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2020, also kept a record-tying nine clean sheets on the way to winning the prestigious trophy.

But while his teammates Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, and Romelu Lukaku were all put on the 30-man shortlist for the coveted Ballon d’Or, Mendy was surprisingly left out.

He has now questioned if it is due to the fact he does not represent a European side like France at the international level.

Speaking to Canal+ (via Wiw Sport), 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?”

It comes despite his earlier refusal to label the snub an “injustice” in October.

Mendy had said: “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 performant 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.”

Other footballers have come to the defence of the goalkeeper, including Senegal teammate and captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who claimed it was a “shame” he was not on the 30-man shortlist.