Yaya Toure says Ballon d'Or shortlist should recognize more African players

Among African footballers, Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure stands alone.

If the 32-year-old had his wish, however, he would have some company.

Toure, named on Tuesday to the 23-man shortlist for FIFA's 2015 Ballon d'Or award, insists that the group of nominees is lacking in its representation of African players; he is the only player from the continent in contention for the honour.

Related: Messi, Ronaldo headline FIFA Ballon d'Or shortlist

"To be honest, I think that some Africans deserve more light (to be shed on them) and, why not, to feature in this list," he said, as translated by ESPN FC. "I know it's hard to find successors to Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o who set the bar very, very high.

"But we should definitely pay more attention to Africans in these circumstances."

The four-time African Player of the Year, who has long starred for both City and the Ivory Coast, also admitted his vexation over the fact that he has never finished higher than 12th in the voting for football's most prestigious individual accolade - a feat he accomplished in 2012.

"I admit it's quite frustrating," Toure said. "I could have shouted my frustration from the rooftops a bit like Eto'o did previously.

"But it's not my style of working - I don't want to victimise myself."