Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi and Senegal forward Sadio Mané were the only African players in the final men’s rankings of the 2026 Ballon d’Or, but both missed out on a place in the top 10.

Hakimi finished 13th, while Mané placed joint 29th with Arsenal defender William Saliba. England and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won the prestigious award for the first time in his career.

The results mark a decline in Africa’s representation among the top-ranked players compared with 2025, when Egypt’s Mohamed Salah finished fourth and Hakimi came sixth.

Hakimi’s latest position comes despite an impressive season with Paris Saint-Germain, helping the French club win the UEFA Champions League. However, the Moroccan right-back dropped seven places from his sixth-place finish last year.

His performance on the European stage had raised hopes of another strong showing, but he was unable to break into the top 10.

Mané, meanwhile, returned to the Ballon d’Or rankings after a four-year absence, finishing joint 29th following a successful season with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.

The Senegal international helped Al-Nassr win the Saudi Pro League title and was named the best player at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Although both players enjoyed notable achievements, their final positions highlight the challenge African stars face in competing for the award’s highest honours.

Kane’s victory added another milestone to his career as he claimed one of football’s most respected individual prizes.