Eric was paired in central defence with Morocco and Juventus defender Medhi Benatia in the XI, which comprises the best-performing African players in 2018.
The 24-year-old played five times for Ivory Coast throughout the last calendar year, scoring his first international goal in the 4-0 win over Central Africa Republic which helped Les Elephants qualify for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 8, 2019
Bailly is one of only two Ivorians in the team, with Tottenham full-back Serge Aurier.
Eric joins fellow Reds centre-back Victor Lindelof in receiving an accolade in his country, after he was named Sweden’s Player of the Year for 2018 in a ceremony in Stockholm back in November.