Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has questioned his surprise Ballon d'Or snub and claims the decision may have been because of his nationality.
Mendy, 29, has starred for his club since joining from Rennes, having won the Champions League and dazzled in the Premier League, but missed out on the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious award.
Initially, the stopper insisted it was not an 'injustice' to not receive a nomination, but has now taken aim at the process and believes he would have made the cut if he had played for France instead.
Speaking to Canal Plus, Senegal star Mendy said: 'It's something that motivates me and pushes me to work. Honestly, I am wondering.
'If I had played for France and had taken part in the [European Championships], would we have this debate and this reflection?'
A number of his team-mates have revealed their shock at Mendy's absence, although last month, the in-form player himself took a more level-headed stance.
'Do I think it's an injustice? No, I wouldn't use that word,' he also told Canal Plus.
'It's something that motivates me to go forward, to work and to perform at club level and with my country.
'As I said after the game with the national team, it's the journalists' freedom of vote and expression, and they vote honourably and conscientiously.'
Mendy arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2020 as part of Frank Lampard's spending spree, and has since gone on to become one of the club's top performers.
As a result, Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly, who both also represent Senegal, expressed their surprise with the former labelling the snub 'unacceptable'.
'It's a real shame that Edou isn't one of them. He is the first African goalkeeper to win the Champions League,' Napoli centre back Koulibaly explained.
'We must continue to work and move forward. We have to do the double [the work] of some people to be well judged.
'Edou is a very positive person. We talked about it together.
'He will continue to fight to be part of it. For me, he has a place among these 30 players.'
Five of Mendy's club-mates have been nominated, meanwhile, with Jorginho among the favourites after a glistening, trophy-laden year.
Defender Cesar Azpilicueta, midfielders Mason Mount and N'Golo Kante, and striker Romelu Lukaku are also in contention.