Marc-Vivien Foé Award 2026: Malian Mamadou Sangaré wins the trophy

Long regarded as staying in the shadows of the major end-of-season individual awards, Mamadou Sangaré earned a major prize on Monday by winning the Marc-Vivien Foé 2026. A prestigious crowning for the RC Lens midfielder, who had a particularly accomplished season in Ligue 1. The 24-year-old player dominated the votes by a wide margin with 313 points, ahead of Senegalese internationals Lamine Camara and Moussa Niakhaté. Beyond the individual honor, this victory also carries historical significance. Sangaré thus becomes the first Malian player to put his name on the roll of honour of this award created by RFI and France 24 to honour the best African player playing in Ligue 1.

Anchor of Lens’s midfield this season, the Malian has tallied three goals and four assists in 28 league matches, while establishing himself as one of the most regular players in the Sang et Or squad. Asked after the announcement of his crowning, Sangaré made sure to credit his teammates for this achievement. “ I am very happy to have won this trophy. I had a good season and it was easier thanks to the support of my teammates since my arrival “, the Lens midfielder said. The player also spoke of the personal pride that this award represents after several months of effort and consistency at the highest level. “This is an immense pride for me after all the work accomplished this season“, he added. This award confirms the rise of the Mali-born midfielder, now considered one of the most influential African players in the French championship.