There has not been one African player on the Ballon d'Or podium since Weah won in 1995 but what chances do Africa's best talents stand in the future?
George Weah remains Africa’s only Ballon d’Or winner.
Of the current African crop, Mohamed Salah is the best bet to follow in his footsteps someday and – perhaps – is the closest thing we have to Weah himself. Like Weah, Salah was born, bred and developed within African football borders before moving to Europe. That is an increasingly rare pathway for young African prospects to follow.
He is joined in that regard by fellow Red Sadio Mane, who came through the prestigious Generation Foot academy in his homeland of Senegal before being picked up by Metz and later Red Bull Salzburg.