French sports magazine France Football released the nominees for the Ballon d’Or 2021 on Friday. Football players of African descent Kylian Mbappe, Romelu Lukaku, N’Golo Kante etc were also nominated to be named the best male footballer of the world. The Ballon d’Or 2021 will be awarded in Paris, France on Nov. 29.
Here are the nominees of African descent nominated for the Ballon d’Or 2021:
1. Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan, Chelsea)
Footballer Romelu Menama Lukaku Bolingoli is a Belgian of Congolese descent who is making a name for himself in the football world.
Romelu Lukaku was born in Antwerp, Belgium on the 13th of May 1993, he is 28 years of age. He played as a striker for Series A club Inter Milan and the Belgium National Team and now made a recent move to Chelsea for a crazy amount of money. we wrote about it here: Romelu Lukaku makes drastic move back to Chelsea, to receive 15M)
2. N’golo Kante (Chelsea)
Ngolo Kante is rated one of the best footballers in history right now and still rising. The French footballer plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Chelsea and the France national team.
Kante’s parents are Malian emigrants but the star was born in France. He enjoys Malian dishes.
3. Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
The young striker is of Cameroonian origin and is one of the most amazing talents in soccer to watch out for.
At the Russia 2018 World Cup, Mbappe became the second teenager to score in a World Cup final after Brazil’s Pele.
Kylian Mbappe moved to France with his father who also was chasing a career in football and this could have influenced his decisions to join the world of football.
4. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah is an Egyptian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Liverpool and captains the Egypt national team.
Considered one of the best players in the world, he is known for his finishing, dribbling, and speed.
5. Kevin De Bruyne
The inclusion of Kevin to the list might shock many who are not aware that is mother is from Burundi in West Africa. This earns his dual citizenship of Burundi and Belgium.
His mother moved from Burundi to Belgium where he was born.
He has, in the past, won numerous league titles for his clubs and his fans believe he can lead Belgium to glory.
6. Karim Benzema
Benzema is of Algerian descent as both his parents are from the northern African country.
The start player is famous for being one of the greatest finishers in the soccer world today. He has proven to be a vital player for every club he has played for.
Nominees for women’s prize
7. Kadidiatou Diani (PSG)
Kadidiatou Diani is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for Division 1 Féminine club Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team.
Diani is of Malian descent.
8. Marie-Antoinette Oda Katoto
Marie-Antoinette Oda Katoto is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for Division 1 Féminine club Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team.
Born in France, Katoto is of DR Congolese descent.