Amad Diallo targets African Footballer of the Year award after CAF nomination

Amad Diallo says he is determined to follow in the footsteps of Ivory Coast greats Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure after being shortlisted for the 2026 CAF African Footballer of the Year award.

The Manchester United winger is one of 10 nominees for the prestigious individual honour after a strong year for club and country.

Diallo played a key role for the Ivory Coast side that reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they were beaten by Egypt. He also helped the Elephants progress to the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring twice at the tournament.

Speaking to Manchester United’s media before Ivory Coast’s back-to-back AFCON 2027 qualifiers against the Gambia, the 24-year-old said the nomination was a source of great pride.

“I’m so proud,” said Diallo.

“Honestly, it’s something that I wish to win one day in my life because I used to dream when Drogba and Yaya Toure were playing for my country and they won the African Player of the Year.

“So, it is something that I dream to win one day. Today, I have the privilege to be in the list of 10 players that they have [announced]. But I mean the rest of the players are good players, they also had good seasons, so I am proud of myself.”

Diallo, who previously played for Atalanta, faces competition from Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa, Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo, Bayern Munich’s Ismael Saibari, Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi and Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz.

The remaining nominees are Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena and Senegal trio Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye and Sadio Mane.

Drogba and Yaya Toure both won the African Footballer of the Year award during their careers, and Diallo hopes the current generation of Ivorian players can match their achievements.

“Of course, when you want to bring also this joy to the Ivory Coast fans, to tell them Yaya Toure and Drogba won that African Footballer of the Year so the new generation can do that. The new generation can win,” he added.

“We want to give them the belief that this new generation can do more. We have good players in this new generation – [Yan] Diomande at Real Madrid and [Christ Inao] Oulai at Fiorentina. Many players.

“I hope all of these players can, one day, win the best Player of the Year of Africa.”

The 2026 CAF African Footballer of the Year award ceremony will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on 2 December.