Sadio Mane finishes 29th in 2026 Ballon d’Or ranking

Sadio Mane has finished 29th in the 2026 Ballon d’Or, sharing the position with France defender William Saliba after returning to the list of nominees for the first time in four years.

The 34-year-old Al Nassr forward was included among the 30 contenders following a productive season at club level and an influential campaign with Senegal. However, his final ranking falls well short of the heights he reached during previous Ballon d’Or nominations.

Mane scored 14 goals and provided nine assists in 34 appearances for Al Nassr last season. Those figures underlined his continued attacking influence and his ability to remain decisive despite moving into the later stages of his career.

His performances for Senegal also contributed to his selection. Mane was named the best player at CAN 2025 after playing a central role in the Lions de la Teranga’s campaign. The award further confirmed his importance to the national side.

Despite those achievements, Mane was unable to challenge near the top of the standings. The winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or is due to be announced in London on Monday evening, while the Senegal international will have to settle for 29th place alongside Saliba.

His latest result is a significant contrast with his earlier appearances in the rankings. Mane finished 22nd in 2018 before making the podium in 2019, when he was placed third. He went one place better in 2022, finishing second and reinforcing his status as one of the leading players in world football.

The ranking may appear underwhelming given his club statistics and continental success with Senegal. Those achievements gave Mane grounds to hope for a higher position, although the Ballon d’Or remains an exceptionally competitive individual award based on performances over the course of an entire season.

Mane’s 29th-place finish nevertheless marks his return to the group of players recognised among the world’s best after four years away from the nominations. It also adds to a career in which he came close to winning the sport’s most prestigious individual prize, particularly when he finished runner-up in 2022.

He is also listed among the highest-paid footballers, with remuneration of 31 billion FCFA cited in connection with his career profile. However, his return to the Ballon d’Or shortlist and his recognition as the best player at CAN 2025 remain the principal distinctions from the latest season.