2026 African Ballon d'Or: Senegal stands out with three candidates, Mané, Sarr and Gueye

Senegal has three contenders for the 2026 African Ballon d'Or: Sadio Mané, Ismaïla Sarr and Pape Gueye, making it the most represented country, according to wiwsport. Mané, who won in 2019 and 2022, could become the first Senegalese player to claim the award three times; Sarr and Gueye are seeking their first title. Morocco's contenders include Achraf Hakimi, the titleholder since 2025, and Brahim Díaz. The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony will take place on December 7 in Lagos, Nigeria; El Hadji Diouf remains the only Senegalese player to have won the award in consecutive years, in 2001 and 2002.