While there haven't been a lot of African Ballon d'Or winners, former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Kolo Toure has explained why his brother, Yaya, did not win the award.
Yaya has been one of Africa's greatest players and has won the CAF Africa Footballer of the Year on four ocassions, a record which he holds with Samuel Eto'o.
The former Barcelona star has been nominated four times for the prestigous Ballon d'Or award but his best finish was 12th spot in 2012.
"I have never had the chance to say thank you to the people who do that. It touches my heart. When you come to another country and the people embrace you and like you, give you praise and even sing your name, it is unbelievable for me and my brother," Kolo told BBC Sport.
"If somebody had told me 15 years ago 'Kolo, people will be singing your name everywhere in the UK' I would have said 'are you joking?'
"I can't compare myself to my brother. He was a better player than me, for sure. I know he loves City but because English is not our first language, sometimes we say things we don't mean.
"He did better than me here and he is more talented. But I am more competitive than Yaya. I was a better runner and I worked hard.
"If Yaya had my work, with his talent, he would win the Ballon d'Or."
