Thomas Partey believes African players are not valued in Europe

Ghana and Atlético Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey says players from Africa are not valued as compared to European players at all levels in football.

Partey stressed that even though Africa boost of top players, they are the most discriminated in Europe and believes that most black players who deserve winning the Golden Ball during award ceremonies have been ignored.

"Well, I think it may be true, because surely there are other players coming from Europe who are valued more than those who come from Africa, for example," Partey told EFE

"We have had very good players like Yaya Touré, Michael Essien, they are seen as good players, but not at the level of a star like a Golden Ball, but they are top players."

"Because they come from Africa it seems that they are valued as a 'top' player but not at the level of Luka Modric, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, but there have been many very good African players.

"Samuel Eto'o and Didier Drogba, they made many goals and could have been players who won the Golden Ball, but they did not reach that level."

"I do not know, I think they value us for recovering balls, for giving a good pass, but we also have goals and many other things."

"If you compare us to a European player, it seems that you value him more than someone who comes from Africa."

The 25-year-old was among the finalist shortlisted for the BBC Africa Player of the Year awards in 2018, however, Liverpool ad Egypt forward Mohamed Salah won the award for the second year running.