Real Madrid have confirmed the inclusion of Kylian Mbappe in their squad for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Manchester City, despite the French international being a doubt due to injury concerns.
The 26-year-old missed the club’s open training session on Tuesday, with reports in Spain suggesting he has a fractured finger.
He is also reportedly managing a knee issue, but his presence would be a major boost for head coach Xabi Alonso.
Going into this clash versus Pep’s Manchester City, Xabi Alonso’s future at Real Madrid has come under intense scrutiny after the team won just one of their last five La Liga matches, including an embarrassing 2-0 loss at home to Celta Vigo.
Recent forms and predictions have described Alonso’s chances of survival as “slim,” warning that a defeat to City at the Bernabeu on Wednesday could mark the end of his tenure, which began only this summer.
Mbappe has scored 25 goals across La Liga and the Champions League this season, but he went goalless as Real Madrid suffered defeat on Sunday.
Should he fail to start the match or even replicate his form, Xabi Alonso will be banking on the best of Vinicius Junior, Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham and others.

Following his outstanding performance in Wednesday’s 3-0thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, Atalanta have reportedly scrapped plans to sell Ademola Lookman in the upcoming January Transfer Window.
Raffaele Palladino secured his first win as Atalanta manager, as his side earned a 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in MD5 of the Champions League.
La Dea sealed the all three points in a frantic five-minute period, as the Italian side scored three goals between the 60th and 65th minute.
This victory saw Atalanta move up to 10th in the UCL table, but the main takeaway was the performance from Lookman as the Nigerian registered two goal contributions. He opened the scoring after 60 minutes and was involved in the action again just two-minutes later – providing the assist for Ederson.
According to news making the rounds in the Italian media, Lookman’s eye catching performance has forced Atalanta to rule out the sale of the 28-year-old striker who is contracted to the Serie A side until 2027.
Accordingly, coach Palladino who seems to have revived the confidence of the former African Footballer of the Year after torrid time following his botched transfer in the summer , is said would soon offer him an improved deal to keep him at the Bergamo-based side.
Incidentally, Lookman would welcome such development following his posturing after Wednesday’s heroics for Atalanta.
“You know, what’s happened has happened. A lot’s gone on. Some things people know, others they don’t,” Lookman reportedly told Sky Sport Italia . “Right now is the time to work hard for the team and we need to win games, that’s the most important thing, to get stronger every day. That is what I am concentrated on and so is the team, working together every day to get results.”
“I think it’s important right now to get the victory, as 3-0 away from home is a really good result,” Lookman added.

• Wins 2025 CAF honours

By Grace Edet

Achraf Hakimi has been crowned the 2025 CAF Player of the Year, adding Morocco to the growing list of countries dominating Africa’s most prestigious football award. The win reinforces a long-running pattern where North and West African nations compete closely for continental football supremacy.
The historical data, shared by Africa Facts Zone, highlights a remarkable 33-year spread of winners featuring legends from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Egypt, Cameroon, and Morocco.
Recent Winners (2022–2025): North and West Africa in Full Control
Hakimi’s 2025 win follows a strong run by Nigerian and Senegalese stars:

2025 – Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
2024 – Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
2023 – Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
2022 – Sadio Mané (Senegal)

Lookman, after winning in 2024, said: “It’s a special recognition for Nigerian football, and I’m proud to be part of this era.”

2016–2021: A Period of Regional Rivalry

This era featured a mix of North and West African winners including:
2019 – Sadio Mané (Senegal)
2018 – Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
2017 – Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
2016 – Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)

2011–2015: The Yaya Touré Golden Run

Ivorian midfielder Yaya Touré dominated the early 2010s with an unprecedented four consecutive wins as indicated below:
2015 – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)
2014 – Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire)
2013 – Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire)
2012 – Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire)
2011 – Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire)

2003–2010: Eto’o and Drogba Take Centre Stage

Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire were the global faces of African football during this period:

2010 – Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
2009 – Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire)
2008 – Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo)
2007 – Frederic Kanouté (Mali)
2006 – Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire)
2005 – Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
2004 – Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
2003 – Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)

1990s Icons Who Paved the Way

The 1990s were defined by Nigerian and West African greats, with Liberia’s George Weah standing out as Africa’s only Ballon d’Or winner:

2002 – El Hadji Diouf (Senegal)
2001 – El Hadji Diouf (Senegal)
2000 – Patrick M’Boma (Cameroon)
1999 – Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria)
1998 – Mustapha Hadji (Morocco)
1997 – Victor Ikpeba (Nigeria)
1996 – Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria)
1995 – George Weah (Liberia)
1994 – Emmanuel Amunike (Nigeria)
1993 – Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria)
1992 – Abedi Pele (Ghana)

A Tradition of Excellence Continues

Hakimi’s 2025 triumph strengthens his status as one of Africa’s most influential modern players and adds to Morocco’s growing legacy in international football. With emerging stars across Europe’s top leagues, the competition for future CAF Player of the Year awards remains wide open.
Africa’s football history — from Abedi Pele (1992) to Achraf Hakimi (2025) — reflects three decades of evolving talent, continental rivalry and global impact.