Nominees revealed for the SPORTY LaLiga MVP honouring the best African player in LaLiga

Fans across Africa will help decide the winner of the award, celebrating the best Sub-Saharan African player competing in Spain’s top flight this season

LaLiga has unveiled the nominees for the 2025-26 SPORTY LaLiga MVP, the award celebrating the best Sub-Saharan African player competing in Spain’s top flight this season. Now in its fifth edition, the accolade continues to recognise the outstanding impact of African footballers across LaLiga EA SPORTS, highlighting the growing influence of African talent across Spanish and European football.

The winner will join an illustrious list of previous recipients, including two-time winner Iñaki Williams of Athletic Club (Ghana), Nigerian international Samuel Chukwueze and Morocco’s star goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

Once again organised in partnership with SPORTY, one of Africa’s leading sports entertainment and technology brands, the award reflects its joint commitment, together with LaLiga, to strengthening Spanish football’s connection with African football and celebrating the players who inspire fans across the continent week in, week out.

Miguel Puche, Brand Director of Sporty Group, said: “The SPORTY LaLiga MVP continues to celebrate the incredible contribution African players make to Spanish football. At SPORTY, we believe that football has the power to connect fans across continents, and this award recognises players who inspire millions of supporters across Africa every weekend. We are proud to partner with LaLiga to honour these stars and bring fans even closer to the game they love.”

Voting for the SPORTY LaLiga MVP will open on 20 March, with supporters able to cast their votes until Sunday, 10 May 2026. As in previous editions, the final winner will be decided through a combination of fan votes from across Sub-Saharan Africa and a panel of experts, including journalists and football stakeholders. The winner will be announced at a special event in Lagos, Nigeria, on Saturday 23 May, marking the final weekend of the LaLiga EA SPORTS season.

OUTSTANDING AFRICAN TALENT

Tresor Penku, Managing Director of LaLiga Africa, said: “African football has long been part of LaLiga’s story, and its influence continues to grow every season. The SPORTY LaLiga MVP, now in its fifth season, celebrates the outstanding talent from across the continent while giving fans in Africa the opportunity to recognise players who represent their countries with pride every week in stadiums across Spain.”

Ghana international and Athletic Club captain Iñaki Williams features among this year’s nominees as he looks to secure a third consecutive SPORTY LaLiga MVP title, once again playing a key role in the Basque side’s push for European qualification. Togo’s Djené Dakonam is also a standout candidate, continuing to anchor Getafe CF as club captain while playing more minutes in LaLiga EA SPORTS than any other African player this season.

At Sevilla FC, Nigerian striker Akor Adams has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, emerging as the club’s top scorer and finding the net in a memorable 4–1 victory over FC Barcelona. Meanwhile, Senegal duo Pape Gueye and Pathé Ciss have also impressed, helping Villarreal CF push once again for the top four and contributing to Rayo Vallecano’s strong campaign in both LaLiga and the UEFA Conference League, respectively.

Nominees for the 2025-26 SPORTY LaLiga MVP

Iñaki Williams - Athletic Club (Ghana)

Ilaix Moriba - RC Celta (Guinea)

Grady Diangana - Elche CF (DR Congo)

Charles Pickel - RCD Espanyol (DR Congo)

Djené Dakonam – Getafe CF (Togo)

Karl Etta Eyong - Levante UD (Cameroon)

Omar Mascarell - RCD Mallorca (Equatorial Guinea)

Enzo Boyomo - CA Osasuna (Cameroon)

Pathé Ciss - Rayo Vallecano (Senegal)

Nobel Mendy - Rayo Vallecano (Senegal)

Rahim Alhassane - Real Oviedo (Niger)