The goalkeeper who hopes Ballon d’Or trip will open doors for African players - The Athletic

Edouard Mendy's journey from the unemployment line to Chelsea's goal and now the Ballon d'Or podium is an inspiration to African footballers everywhere.

Edouard Mendy's journey from the unemployment line to Chelsea's goal and now the Ballon d'Or podium is an inspiration to African footballers everywhere. The Senegalese goalkeeper is the first African to be nominated for the prestigious award, and his presence among the finalists is a testament to his incredible talent and hard work.

Mendy's rise to the top has been nothing short of remarkable.

He was released by his first professional club, Cherbourg, at the age of 22 and spent the next two years playing in the lower leagues of French football. In 2019, he finally got his big break when he joined Rennes, and he quickly established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Ligue 1.

Mendy's performances for Rennes caught the attention of Chelsea, and he joined the Premier League club in 2020 for a fee of £22 million. He has since become an integral part of Chelsea's team, helping them to win the Champions League in 2021.

Mendy's success is a major breakthrough for African football.

For too long, African players have been underrepresented at the highest levels of the game. Mendy's nomination for the Ballon d'Or is a sign that this is changing, and it is hoped that his success will inspire more African players to pursue their dreams of playing at the highest level.

In an interview with The Athletic, Mendy said that he hopes his journey will "open doors" for other African players.

"I want to show that it is possible for African players to achieve anything they set their minds to," he said. "I want to be an inspiration to young African footballers and show them that they can dream big."