The shortlist for the 2025 Marc-Vivien Foé Award, recognizing the best African player in France’s Ligue 1, has been unveiled by RFI and France 24.
This year’s nominees include three Senegalese, three Ivorians, and representatives from Algeria, Morocco, Guinea, and Nigeria.
Named in honor of Cameroonian footballer Marc-Vivien Foé, who tragically passed away on the pitch in 2003, the award has been presented annually since 2009.
Last year’s winner, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, claimed the prize while playing for Olympique de Marseille.
Nominees for the 2025 Marc-Vivien Foé award
The 12-player shortlist features a mix of established stars and rising talents, all of whom have made significant contributions to their respective clubs this season.
- Himad Abdelli (Angers – Algeria)
- Eliesse Ben Seghir (Monaco – Morocco)
- Lamine Camara (Monaco – Senegal)
- Habib Diarra (Strasbourg – Senegal)
- Yaya Fofana (Angers – Ivory Coast)
- Amine Gouiri (Rennes then Marseille – Algeria)
- Evann Guessand (Nice – Ivory Coast)
- Achraf Hakimi (PSG – Morocco)
- Moussa Niakhaté (Lyon – Senegal)
- Moses Simon (Nantes – Nigeria)
- Abdoulaye Touré (Le Havre – Guinea)
- Hamed Junior Traoré (Auxerre – Ivory Coast)
A highly competitive field
The three Ivorian nominees—Yaya Fofana, Evann Guessand, and Hamed Junior Traoré—have all played vital roles for their respective clubs this season.
Meanwhile, Senegal’s contingent, featuring Lamine Camara, Habib Diarra, and Moussa Niakhaté, showcases the depth of Senegalese talent thriving in Ligue 1.
Achraf Hakimi, a key figure for Paris Saint-Germain, is one of the most high-profile names on the list, while Amine Gouiri, who recently switched international allegiance from France to Algeria, has also been recognized for his contributions at Rennes and Marseille.
Nigeria’s Moses Simon, known for his explosive pace at Nantes, and Guinea’s Abdoulaye Touré, a key presence in Le Havre’s midfield, add further diversity to the shortlist.
Who will claim the prize?
With past winners including Didier Drogba, Gervinho, and Nicolas Pépé, the Marc-Vivien Foé Award remains a prestigious honor in French football.
The 2025 winner will be decided by a panel of journalists and announced later this year.
