Malian international Mamadou Sangaré, who plays for RC Lens, has been named the winner of the 2026 Marc-Vivien Foé Prize, awarded annually by RFI and France 24 to the best African player in France's Ligue 1. The award was announced on May 12, 2026.
Sangaré, 24, has been a key figure in Lens' midfield this season, contributing to the club's strong campaign. The prize recognizes his consistent performances and impact on the pitch.
The Marc-Vivien Foé Prize, named after the Cameroonian midfielder who died tragically during a match in 2003, is voted on by a jury of journalists and former winners. Sangaré follows in the footsteps of previous winners such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pépé.
In his acceptance remarks, Sangaré dedicated the award to his family and teammates, and expressed pride in representing Mali on the international stage.
