Malian midfielder Mamadou Sangaré has been awarded the 2026 Prix Marc-Vivien Foé, recognizing him as the outstanding African player in Ligue 1.
Issued on: 11/05/2026 - 07:31
The 23-year-old midfielder, who plays for Lens, is the first Malian to win the award since it was established in 2009 in honor of Cameroon's Marc-Vivien Foé, who died in June 2003 after collapsing during a Confederations Cup match between Cameroon and Colombia in Lyon.
Sangaré succeeds Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi.
Monaco and Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara was the runner-up, while Lyon and Senegal defender Moussa Niakhaté took third place.
Born in the Malian capital Bamako, Sangaré progressed through the youth ranks at his hometown club Yeelen Olympique, before moving in 2020 to Austrian Bundesliga side RB Salzburg.
Still only 18, he was immediately loaned to second-tier outfit FC Liefering before further spells at Grazer AK, Belgian club Zulte Waregem, and TSV Hartberg.
At the end of the 2023-24 campaign, Rapid Vienna signed him for €700,000. A year later, the Austrian side made a significant profit when Lens paid €8 million for the midfielder.
African football chiefs plan revamp of continent's governing body.
"He made an immediate impact in Lens," said Hervé Penot, an analyst on RFI's Radio Foot Internationale.
"He settled in straight away and became one of the key players, if not the key player. He quickly showed that he was in a league of his own. His teammates immediately saw that he had something special."
After appearances for the Mali under-20 and under-23 sides, Sangaré received his first call-up for the senior squad in August 2024, during the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Since his international debut on 6 September, 2024 in a 1-1 draw against Mozambique, he has earned 14 more caps under former head coach Tom Saintfiet.
Senegal outmuscle 10-man Mali to reach last four at 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Sangaré was a key player in Saintfiet's midfield during Mali's run to the quarter-finals at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they lost to Senegal.
He returned from Morocco in January to reclaim his place in the Lens midfield and energize the club's drive for a first Ligue 1 title since 1998.
Should they fail to wrest the Ligue 1 title away from defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, Lens will at least secure a place in the group stage of the 2026-27 Champions League.
There is also the possibility of winning silverware in the Coupe de France. Pierre Sage's team will face Nice in the final on 22 May at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
Daily newsletter: Receive essential international news every morning.
Stay up to date with international news by downloading the RFI app.
Related content.