Three African Stars Named Finalists for 2026 Marc-Vivien Foé Prize
The award, which recognises the best African player in the French league, will go to a first-time laureate this year.
Three players have been named finalists for the 2026 Marc-Vivien Foé Prize, the annual award dedicated to the best African performer in Ligue 1. The shortlist features Senegalese duo Lamine Camara of AS Monaco and Moussa Niakhaté of Olympique Lyon, who will compete against Mamadou Sangaré of RC Lens. The prize is presented by FRANCE 24 and Radio France Internationale (RFI) in honour of the late Cameroonian legend Marc-Vivien Foé.
This year's selection ensures that the award will go to a first-time laureate, as no previous winner is among the finalists. Eligibility for the prize requires candidates to have represented an African national team and to have played at least 15 Ligue 1 matches in the previous season. The finalists represent a significant portion of the continent's talent currently active in France's top division.
Senegal's Lions of Teranga are well represented in the trio, capitalising on their recent Africa Cup of Nations campaign. Lamine Camara started every match for his national team during the tournament, including the final against Morocco, although the title has, for the time being, been stripped pending a final appeal. At just 22, the Monaco midfielder has established himself as a fixture for both his club and country, contributing 22 matches, one goal and four assists to his side's campaign last season.
Moussa Niakhaté, 30, has become equally indispensable in defence for both Senegal and Olympique Lyon. His performances were instrumental in Lyon recording 24 clean sheets this year and securing a return to the brink of the Champions League. A decisive win against Paris Saint-Germain recently highlighted his stature, as he kept the Parisian attacking armada at bay. Over the 2025/2026 season, the defender appeared in 30 matches for Lyon, providing two assists while representing his country in 11 games.
Standing in their way is Mamadou Sangaré, a 23-year-old for whom this accolade would mark a historic achievement. The RC Lens standout is vying to become the first Malian recipient of the award. He has been a key factor in the northern club's outstanding season, which has seen them push PSG for the title. Sangaré, described as a tireless ball-winner with a notable left foot, recorded 28 games, three goals and four assists for Lens last season, while also featuring in the AFCON quarter-finals for Mali.
The Marc-Vivien Foé Prize has been awarded since 2011, named after the Cameroonian international who died suddenly in 2003 while playing for his country against Colombia at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon. The institution honours Foé's legacy by recognising excellence on the pitch, with the 2026 edition set to crown a new name in the history of the competition.
