RC Lens midfielder Mamadou Sangaré has been named the best African player in France’s Ligue 1, becoming the first Malian footballer to win the prestigious Marc-Vivien Foé Award. The 23-year-old earned the honour in his debut season in French football after a standout campaign with Lens. He finished ahead of Senegalese internationals Lamine Camara of AS Monaco and Moussa Niakhaté of Olympique Lyonnais in the final voting conducted by French broadcasters RFI and France 24. Sangaré succeeds Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain, who won the award last year.
Named in memory of former Cameroon international Marc-Vivien Foé, who tragically died during a football match in France in 2003 at the age of 28, the award recognises the top African player in Ligue 1 each season. Speaking after receiving the honour, Sangaré credited his teammates and coaching staff for helping him settle quickly in France. Born in Bamako, the midfielder developed through the youth ranks of Yeelen Olympique before joining Austrian club FC Red Bull Salzburg in 2020. After several seasons in Austria, he signed for RC Lens in 2025 and immediately became a key figure in the team’s midfield.
Lens coach Pierre Sage praised Sangaré’s impact, saying the Malian impressed from his very first appearance for the club. The midfielder contributed three goals and four assists this season and played a major role in Lens’ impressive league campaign. The club currently sits second in Ligue 1 behind Paris Saint-Germain and has secured qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League. Lens will now turn attention to the French Cup final against Nice on May 22 as they look to cap off a successful season with silverware.
