The 2021 Ballon d'Or ceremony saw Lionel Messi win his 7th title, but not only.
It also sparked new controversy.
The Yachine Trophy, rewarding the best goalkeeper during the year, was awarded to Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gialuigi Donnarumma.
If this choice seems rather logical as the Italian shone with his former club AC Milan and therefore PSG, but especially during Euro 2021 (where he was named best player of the competition).
"Stop being a hypocrite"
Habib Beye
However, some people are not of this opinion at all.
This is the case of
Canal +
consultant
Habib Beye who campaigned strongly for his compatriot Edouard Mendy, author of an exceptional year with Chelsea, punctuated by a coronation in the Champions League.
The Red Star coach estimated on
Canal + Sport Afrique
that the reasons for the non-election of the former Rennais were purely extra-sporting:
SEE ALSO -
Edouard Mendy's best at Chelsea last season
“
There, it was written on the list. It was written on the list, it had already been written for years. It is even written to FIFA when they tweet where they put goalkeeper Edouard Mendy without his jersey, in the background and hidden. It's reality. You have to be able to hear it and stop being hypocritical,
”said the ex-Marseillais.
“The reality is you've seen the statistics. Edouard Mendy's number of clean sheets is much greater than that of Donnarumma. The season, as a whole, is much more successful for Mendy than it is for Donnarumma. There we rewarded a player over a month of competition and his season in Milan which is not bad. But I think Edouard Mendy had a better season overall with Chelsea, in addition to the Champions League
,
”
Beye continued before concluding:
"We do not recognize an African international"
Habib Beye
“
Because African and Senegalese, his selection does not shine as Italy can shine today in media aura.
Today we consider, even coaches say, that the CAN is a small tournament.
And all those things that mean that we do not recognize an African international as we will recognize a European or Italian international like Donnarumma.
We rewarded a month of competition and a transferred goalkeeper.
Edouard Mendy was better than Donnarumma over twelve months, there is not even a debate.
"
Very strong statements from the former Senegalese international who are sure to get a lot of talk.
