Evening of the Ballon d’Or awards has passed but the after-effects are not fading away. One of the many who saw the awards not distributed properly is former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. The Frenchman noticed, as majority did, that Robert Lewandowski should have won the main prize, Ballon d’Or, instead of Lionel Messi but his focus was more on the Lev Yashin trophy – award given to the best goalkeeper of the year. The 40-year-old claimed that the decision not to award Chelsea and Senegal national team shot-stopper Edouard Mendy the award for 2021 was powered by racism.The prize went to Gianluigi Donnarumma after he helped Italy to win two penalty shootouts on their way to winning this summer’s European Championships. Mendy finished second behind the Italian, with Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak in third.Despite winning the Champions League and producing incredible displays for the Blues throughout the past 12 months, Mendy was overlooked at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris.Water is wet, the world is round and Lionel Messi wins Ballon D’Or – that’s number seven for the ArgentineEvra couldn’t stay silent and took to Instagram where he gave his view on what was the reason for Mendy not to receive the prize. Former left-back saw it as an all-around scorning view towards African football and the continent’s biggest tournament.’What about Edouard Mendy? You know, but of course, African Cup, we are the monkeys so no one respects this competition’, said Evra.’We are the only competition where you have to leave your club, leave for three weeks and play that cup because in Africa we always have a little space. But things will change, things will change.’Interesting piece of trivia is that Evra was born in Senegal but represented France while Mendy was born in France but plays his international football for Senegal.On club level, Mendy has been spectacular for Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side – the Blues won the Champions League last season while this season he conceded only four goals. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Patrice Evra (@patrice.evra) As far as Lionel Messi being crowned Ballon d’Or winner for a seventh time with Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski overlooked – Evra continued expressing his disappointment.’I feel so sorry for him (Lewandowski)’, Evra continued. ‘They even had to create a little trophy for him because, you know, they feel guilty and they know it’s corruption. ‘Open your eyes people. I am not one to say who deserves it or not but I think everyone agrees. Robbery, robbery robbery. People don’t agree.Wed, 22.30: (9.00) WATFORD (5.20) CHELSEA (1.38)’Why are we lying to fans? I haven’t got anything against Lionel Messi. My problem is with those massive corrupt organisations of football and enough is enough. ‘They gave Lewandowski a trophy that looked like an old vinyl. It’s not funny. Messi didn’t have a bad season. If you see his stats he didn’t have a bad season.’But I’m sorry Lewandowski this year, even last year, was the best.’Alphonso Davies on Lionel Messi winning the Ballon d’Or 🤐 pic.twitter.com/KsZPQvqi3K— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 1, 2021 What is your opinion on the matter? Messi did claim a maiden Copa America title with his country during 2021 and was also top scorer in La Liga for the 2020-21 season with 30 goals as Barcelona finished third. The 34-year-old Argentine also helped Barca win the Copa del Rey before moving to PSG. Lewandowski maintained the incredible goal-scoring form that made him favourite for last year’s prize for which he was snubbed. The 33-year-old Pole finished second after scoring 38 goals in 30 league games for Bayern in 2021, in addition to winning the Bundesliga.
