Mamadou Sangaré makes history as first Malian to win Prix Marc-Vivien Foé

Mamadou Sangaré has etched his name into African football history after becoming the first Malian to win the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé, recognising the best African player in France’s top flight.

The RC Lens midfielder secured the 2026 honour following a breakthrough campaign that elevated him among Ligue 1’s elite performers.

At just 23, Sangaré’s rise has been both rapid and assured. In his debut season in France, he emerged as a central figure in Lens’ midfield, combining defensive intelligence with progressive play.

His performances placed him ahead of Monaco’s Lamine Camara and Lyon defender Moussa Niakhaté, who finished second and third respectively in the voting.

Sangaré’s journey to this milestone reflects a steady climb through European football. After developing in Austria, he completed an €8 million move to Lens in 2025 and quickly justified the investment.

Over the 2025 to 2026 Ligue 1 season, he made 28 appearances, starting 26 matches, while contributing three goals and four assists. Beyond the numbers, his composure in possession and ability to dictate tempo distinguished him in a competitive field.

“In the lineage of his predecessors,” a Lens statement read.

“First Malian to receive the Marc-Vivien Foé award, which pays tribute to the former number 17 of RCL.

“Mamadou Sangaré received his trophy in the studios of RFI. He is the third Lensois winner after Gaël Kakuta and Seko Fofana.”

On the international stage, Sangaré has also grown in stature. Since debuting for Mali in September 2024, he has earned 15 caps and featured prominently during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign and its qualifiers.

His trajectory suggests a player increasingly central to both club and country, with this landmark award underlining his emergence as one of Africa’s standout midfielders in Europe.