Barcelona and Inter Milan legend Samuel Eto’o has explained why Liverpool duo of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane won’t win the Ballon d’Or this year.

The recently retired 38-year-old believes African stars have for long been looked down despite their big achievements in Europe.

The pair finished as joint top scorers in the EPL, along with Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

In an interview with RFI, Eto’o has, however, backed the pair who won the Champions League to finish in the final five shortlist.

“We are only good to denigrate our brothers. We are not respected,” Eto’o told RFI.

“It’s a fact. I hope I’m wrong, but the next Ballon d’Or will be neither Mane nor Salah.

“There is no explanation that Mane, Salah or Aubameyang, the top three scorers of the Premier League last season may not even be among the top five.

“Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both very strong, but this season who won the Champions League? It’s Mane and Salah.”