Ivory Coast forward Nicolas Pépé has been nominated for La Liga’s 2025-26 Player of the Season award after rediscovering his form with Villarreal CF in a campaign that has strengthened his standing among Africa’s leading players in Europe.
The 30-year-old is one of five nominees for the individual honour in Spain’s top division, alongside Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Vedat Muriqi and Pablo Fornals.
Pépé’s inclusion follows a strong second half of the season in which the former Lille winger became one of Villarreal’s most influential attacking players.
He finished the campaign with eight goals and eight assists in 36 appearances, numbers that reflected a significant turnaround after what the article described as a difficult start to the season.
The Ivorian international’s impact was particularly visible during Villarreal’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Atlético Madrid, where he contributed two assists in one of the club’s standout performances of the campaign.
For many supporters in Ivory Coast and across francophone Africa, the nomination represents another important moment in Pépé’s career revival after several inconsistent seasons following his high-profile move away from French football.
The winger first rose to prominence during his time in Ligue 1 with Lille, where his performances established him as one of Europe’s most exciting attacking players.
His latest recognition in Spain now places him among some of the biggest names in world football.
The competition for the award is expected to be intense.
Barcelona teenager Yamal enters the race after another impressive campaign in which he reportedly produced 28 direct goal contributions in league matches.
Real Madrid forward Mbappé is also among the favourites after scoring 25 league goals to secure another Pichichi award as the division’s top scorer.
Muriqi’s inclusion has also attracted attention after the Kosovo striker scored 23 league goals despite Mallorca’s relegation struggles, while Real Betis midfielder Fornals completes the shortlist.
The continent has continued to produce influential attacking players in Europe’s elite leagues, and the Villarreal winger’s resurgence offers another reminder of the enduring quality emerging from francophone African football.
His performances also come at an important time for Ivory Coast following their recent continental success, with experienced players expected to guide the next generation of Ivorian talent.
