Sadio Mane’s Ballon d’Or 2026 case: surprise nomination or deserved recognition?

Sadio Mane is expected to be included among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, according to British journalist Ben Jacobs, although his possible selection has already divided opinion in Senegal and across African football.

The official shortlist is due to be published within hours. If confirmed, Mane’s inclusion would represent a notable surprise. The Al-Nassr forward is now 34 and appears to have moved beyond the peak of his career, while playing outside the European spotlight. However, his season still contains arguments strong enough to make his nomination difficult to dismiss.

Afrik-Foot had previously identified Mane as one of the African players who could be considered for the award, although it placed him well behind the leading favourites.

His strongest claim comes from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Mane scored twice and provided three assists in seven matches as Senegal reached the final and defeated Morocco 1-0 after extra time. He was named the tournament’s best player, even though the CAF appeals committee subsequently awarded that title to Morocco on a forfeit decision last March.

Mane’s contribution to Senegal’s campaign went beyond his statistics. During a tense final, the captain persuaded his team-mates to return to the pitch after they had briefly walked off in protest. That act of leadership and fair play forms part of the wider criteria considered for the Ballon d’Or, alongside individual performances and team honours.

His domestic campaign in Saudi Arabia also produced respectable numbers. Mane scored 10 goals and registered six assists in 25 Saudi Pro League appearances. More significantly, he helped Al-Nassr win the title, ending the Riyadh club’s seven-year wait for the championship. He also scored in the decisive victory over Damac on the final day of the season.

Although he has not reproduced the same level of brilliance he displayed during his time at Liverpool, Mane has remained an effective and influential player. His performances have therefore provided a genuine basis for consideration, rather than relying solely on his reputation.

There are, however, clear reasons for questioning his inclusion. Senegal’s World Cup campaign ended in the round of 32, while Mane failed to score in four appearances and did not recapture the influence he had shown at the Africa Cup of Nations several months earlier.

The profile and global exposure of the Saudi Pro League are also likely to count against him when compared with players who have excelled in the UEFA Champions League or in Europe’s major domestic leagues. The Ballon d’Or recognises a player’s season, rather than their career as a whole.

The initial list of 30 is drawn up by members of the France Football and L’Equipe editorial teams, with former jury members and UEFA ambassadors also involved. It is not yet the final vote, which will be conducted by international journalists.

Mane finished second in the 2022 Ballon d’Or voting behind Karim Benzema, and that standing will inevitably contribute to the respect surrounding his candidacy. Even so, describing a possible nomination as a gift would be excessive.

A key player in Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph and a Saudi Pro League champion with Al-Nassr, Mane has genuine credentials. His presence on the shortlist would be unexpected, but it would not be unjustifiable.