Hakimi and Mane lead African Ballon d’Or race as Sarr misses out

The 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or organised by France Football has strengthened the claims of Achraf Hakimi and Sadio Mane in the race for the African Ballon d’Or, while the omission of Ismaila Sarr could prove significant.

Since the African Ballon d’Or returned in its current form, every winner has also been nominated for the global award. That pattern has held since 2016 and could again influence the outcome when this year’s continental prize is decided.

Only Hakimi and Mane are among the African players included in the 30-man France Football shortlist. Their presence appears to narrow the field, although Sarr’s absence has created considerable debate because of the strength of his season.

The historical record is clear. Riyad Mahrez won the African award in 2016 after appearing among the global nominees. Mohamed Salah followed in 2017 and 2018, Sadio Mane claimed the prize in 2019 and 2022, Victor Osimhen was the winner in 2023, Ademola Lookman took it in 2024 and Achraf Hakimi was honoured in 2025.

Sarr’s credentials, however, make his exclusion difficult to overlook. The Senegal forward won the Africa Cup of Nations and the Conference League, where he was named both the best player and the leading goalscorer. He then became the highest-scoring African player at the 2026 World Cup.

Without a place on the France Football list, Sarr would have to break a decade-long trend to win the African award. No recipient since 2016 has lifted the continental prize without also being nominated for the global Ballon d’Or.

Mane emerges as Hakimi’s main challenger

Mane’s inclusion among the 30 nominees consequently gives his candidacy a substantial boost. The Senegal international is no longer the player who finished second in the 2022 Ballon d’Or voting, but his output remains impressive.

He scored 24 goals and provided 13 assists in 55 matches, helped Al-Nassr win the Saudi Arabian league title and produced two goals and three assists during the Africa Cup of Nations.

His performance at the 2026 World Cup was less convincing. Mane registered one assist and failed to score in four appearances.

Whether that record is enough to seriously challenge Hakimi remains uncertain. The Paris Saint-Germain defender is the reigning African Ballon d’Or holder and is regarded as the leading contender. However, with only two Africans included in the France Football shortlist, Mane could become Hakimi’s most credible rival in the eyes of voters.

The final ranking could also feature a surprise, particularly after three African goalkeepers were included among the 10 nominees for the Yachine Trophy.

Morocco’s Yassine Bounou, Senegal’s Edouard Mendy and Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha are all in contention for the award.

Bounou, who was also nominated last season, appears to have the strongest case of the three. The Morocco international has again emerged from an excellent World Cup and completed the domestic campaign with his Saudi Arabian club in second place in the league.

Winning the Yachine Trophy will be difficult, particularly with competition from Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martinez and Unai Simon. Bounou’s nomination could nevertheless strengthen his position in the African Ballon d’Or voting and give him a chance of securing a prominent finish.