Ballon d’Or 2026: Why Africa’s leading contenders are unlikely to make the top 10

Africa is still waiting for a successor to George Weah, the only player from the continent to win the Ballon d’Or, in 1995. After Mohamed Salah finished fourth and Achraf Hakimi sixth in 2025, neither the Morocco defender nor Sadio Mane is expected to challenge for a place in the top 10 in 2026.

Hakimi appeared to be Africa’s strongest candidate after an outstanding 2024-25 campaign with Paris St-Germain, when he also won the Ballon d’Or Africain. However, his momentum was checked by injuries, which ruled him out for 22 matches during November and December 2025 and again in April and May 2026.

Those fitness problems restricted his appearances for the Paris club and disrupted his preparation for international competition. Hakimi featured at the Africa Cup of Nations without being in his best condition and then played at the World Cup shortly after returning from injury. As a result, he did not exert the same influence he had during the previous season, particularly at major international tournaments.

His combined record for club and country remains impressive: 49 matches, four goals and 17 assists. However, that is unlikely to be enough in a fiercely contested Ballon d’Or race featuring Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Lionel Messi, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Luis Diaz and Erling Haaland, all of whom appear to be ahead of him.

Hakimi can still point to a distinguished list of honours, including the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Ligue 1. He also has the Africa Cup of Nations on his record, although the Court of Arbitration for Sport has yet to rule on the Senegal-Morocco final.

The Africa Cup of Nations could have provided another opportunity for a player from the continent to strengthen their case. Instead, its most valuable player was Mane, who plays outside Europe and failed to make a significant impact at the World Cup. His individual achievements are unlikely to carry him deep into the Ballon d’Or rankings, particularly after Senegal were stripped of the title.

Hakimi also failed to make a decisive impression at either the Africa Cup of Nations or the World Cup. The fact that Morocco’s African title has not yet been officially confirmed may have further weakened his claim.

Africa is also experiencing a gap between generations. Mane, Salah and Riyad Mahrez carried the continent’s hopes at the highest level for years, but all three are now older and no comparable successor has yet emerged on the global stage.

Several young players are attracting attention. Yan Diomande joined Real Madrid in the latest transfer window as the most expensive African player in history, Ayyoub Bouaddi moved to Manchester City and Ismael Saibari transferred to Bayern Munich. Ibrahim Maza is also among the three African nominees for the Kopa Trophy this year.

Those players may have significant futures, but it is too early to regard them as credible Ballon d’Or contenders. For now, Hakimi remains Africa’s leading active superstar, but a less convincing 2025-26 season has reduced the continent’s prospects.