Ranking 10 Best African Footballers of All time: From Mohamed Salah to Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure

The African continent is filled with numerous footballers who carry the dreams of fans on their backs. Who can forget Samuel Eto’o? His clinical striking ability left fans mesmerized at Barcelona and Inter. The Nigerian magician, Jay-Jay Okocha, left defenders dizzy with his tricky footwork. And today’s greats, Mohamed Salah, his pace and finishing abilities make him one of the best African footballers. Not to forget, his former Liverpool teammate, Sadio Mane, is making history in the Saudi Pro League.

Picking the top 10 best African players of all time is like choosing a favorite star in the sky. How do you compare Weah’s grace to Yaya Toure’s midfield dominance? Or Riyad Mahrez’s dribbles to Nwankwo Kanu’s flicks? This list isn’t about stats alone, it’s about legacy. The grit, the swagger, the moments that made fans leap off their couches screaming, “Did you SEE that?!”

Ranking Factors

Career Longevity: The primary factor to determine the best African footballers is to look at longevity, which is an essential factor, considering how long of a career they have played for their club and country.

Individual Performances: Individual brilliance in their performances for both club and country, is also taken into account.

Impact on team success: The parameter to determine the best African footballers is to look at the impact of changing the course of the game and their role in bringing success to the team.

Honours & Awards: African Player of the Year awards and other major awards nominations separate good players from legends. These honors reflect dominance against elite competition.

List of Top 10 Best African Players

10. Rabah Madjer (Alegria)

Rabah Madjer is an inspiration to the millions of African footballers who wish to be at the highest level of the game. Hailing from Algeria, Madjer became the first outfield player of the continent to win the European Cup. He touched the top deck of his career when he helped Porto to become the champions of Europe by defeating Bayern Munich. Later, he led his nation Algeria to the AFCON silverware in 1990. He scored 28 goals off just 86 games in his international career.

Rabah Madjer danced past Bayern Munich’s defenders in the ’87 European Cup final, then casually backheeling the ball into history, inspiring younger generations. That wasn’t just skill, it was swagger. When the pressure of the 1990 AFCON final suffocated everyone else, Madjer marched up, a penalty in hand, ice in his veins, and wrote Algeria’s name on the trophy.

Player Name	Country	No. of Appearances	Goals	Honors and Awards
Rabah Madjer	Algeria	86	28	African player of the year

9. Riyad Mahrez (Alegria)

One of the shining stars of African football, Riyad Mahrez, perfectly resonates with the incredible mark the African continent has left in football. From being part of Leicester City’s dream journey of winning the English Premier League title in the 2015/16 season to lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2023 with Manchester City, the Algerian has collected almost every title in club football.

However, his biggest feat will be the victory of the AFCON title with Algeria, where he was also one of the top scorers in the tournament. After establishing his name as one of the best African footballers, Mahrez is currently plying his trade with Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia. He has already netted 162 club goals and 31 International goals.

Player Name	Country	No. of Appearances	Goals	Honors and Awards
Riayd Mahrez	Algeria	97	31	African Footballer of the Year EPL Player of the Year Algerian Player of the Year

8. Abedi Pele (Ghana)

Abedi Pele is an unsung hero in the history of African football. His real name is Abedi Ayew, but his achievements as an attacking midfielder on the pitch earned him the nickname “Pele” which has faded his real name. The former Ghana captain won the UEFA Champions League trophy in 1993 with Marseille. The 1982 African Nations Cup winner was named the best African footballer for three consecutive years in 1991, 1992, and 1993. He scored a staggering 88 goals in 411 games for multiple clubs.

Sons Andre and Jordan Ayew followed in his footsteps, making the Pele-Ayew dynasty a pillar of Ghanaian football. He was one of the top African players of the ’90s. Abedi’s audacious 40-yard free-kick for Marseille against AC Milan in 1991 remains a cult classic. Post-retirement, he founded Nania FC, a Ghanaian club dedicated to nurturing raw talent, proving that his heart never left the streets of Accra.

Player Name	Country	No. of Appearances	Goals	Honors and Awards
Abedi Pele	Ghana	73	33	African footballer of the year x 3

7. Michael Essien (Ghana)

The aura of Michael Essien can be explained by his £24.8 million transfer payment in 2005. Chelsea brought the talented midfielder from Lyon to the shores of English football when he was at his peak. The prized jewel of the Black Stars went on to win a Premier League title and a Champions League trophy with the Blues. Later, Essien played for two more European giants – Real Madrid and AC Milan. Essien achieved everything at the club level, but he was unlucky with the Ghanaian national team. He came close to achieving his dream in 2010 AFCON, but Egypt crushed his dream. Essien won 59 International caps with his country and netted 9 goals as well.

Off the field, he’s a classical midfielder, a pure opposite to his on-field bone-crunching tackles. As one of the best African soccer players, Essien inhabited the “defensive-playmaker” role at Chelsea, but his post-retirement work with UNICEF in rural Ghana, where he helped build schools and clinics, cemented him as a hero beyond the pitch.

Player Name	Country	No. of Appearances	Goals	Honors and Awards
Michael Essien	Ghana	59	9	EPL winner’s medal UCL winner’s medal

Also Read: 20 Best African Premier League Players in History

6. Sadio Mane (Senegal)

Sadio Mane is an evergreen player who has taken African football to new heights. He is currently playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr after a successful stint in European football. After coming through the ranks of Red Bull Salzburg, Mane came to the English Premier League and achieved numerous successes with Liverpool. The Senegal forward has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup. Not only at the club level, the former Bayern Munich winger guided Senegal to their first-ever African Cup of Nations glory in 2021. He was nominated for the Ballon d’Or Award in 2019 and 2021.

Sadio Mane has been showing what it means to be a global icon; he has been donating millions to his village, shaping the future of his country. Beyond his Liverpool glory, he funded a hospital and school in Bambali, Senegal. On the pitch, his telepathic link with Mohamed Salah redefined modern wing partnerships. Fans still debate his 2019 Puskas Award snub for that Bayern Munich solo goal, proof his genius transcends trophies.

Player Name	Country	No. of Appearances	Goals	Honors and Awards
Sadio Mane	Senegal	111	45	African footballer of the year x 2 EPL Golden boot

5. Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)

Yaya Toure was the epitome of a perfect midfielder when he was in his prime. He was widely known for his long-range shooting, defence-tearing passes and leadership qualities. The former Barcelona and Manchester City playmaker won every major trophy during his majestic club career. From the Champions League to the English Premier League, from La Liga to the FA Cup, Toure put his hands on all club titles. He also won the AFCON Cup for Ivory Coast in 2015. Before hanging up his boots, he recorded 99 goals in his career despite being a midfielder.

Yaya Toure’s 2013 birthday cake controversy became a meme, but his impact runs deeper. As the best African Premier League player, he fought racism by mentoring young African talents at City’s academy. His post-retirement coaching gigs in Ukraine and Russia aim to break barriers for African managers.

Player Name	Country	No. of Appearances	Goals	Honors and Awards
Yaya Toure	Ivory Coast	97	19	African Footballer of the Year x 4

4. Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)

An absolute legend, Samuel Eto’o is considered one of the greatest African players in football history. He was the most lethal striker during his successful spells with Barcelona and Inter Milan. The serial winner from Cameroon lifted the Champions League trophy with both these clubs. Eto’o became the African Player of the Year four times and won the Olympic gold medal. He scored a whopping 56 goals for Cameroon and propelled them to the AFCON title glory on two occasions.

Samuel Eto’o’s ruthless streak hid a wicked sense of humor, he once celebrated a goal by mimicking a fan’s phone call. As the best African soccer player, he used his FIFA connections to expose corruption in Cameroonian football, risking his reputation for change.

Player Name	Country	No. of Appearances	Goals	Honors and Awards
Samuel Eto’o	Cameroon	118	56	African Footballer of the Year x 4 Olympic Medal La Liga Golden Boot AFCON top scorer x 2

Also Read: Top 10 Most Expensive African Players of All Time

3. George Weah (Liberia)

George Weah is the most sensational character on the list of the best African footballers ever. He was the first African player to win a Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award. The legendary striker was immensely successful in club football and won several league titles with AC Milan and PSG. He remains the only player amongst the greatest African players not to feature in the FIFA World Cup. The former Liberian captain notched up 211 goals in 444 games in club football. His son, Timothy Weah, is also a professional footballer who plays for Juventus and the USA men’s national team.

George Weah’s 1995 Ballon d’Or award is a testament to his dedication, sacrifices, and hard work. As one of the top African players, his post-football presidency saw him play in a charity match while in office, scoring a bicycle kick. Weah’s journey from Monrovia’s slums to the presidency is Africa’s ultimate underdog tale.

Player Name	Country	No. of Appearances	Goals	Honors and Awards
George Weah	Liberia	75	18	African footballer of the year x 3 Ballon d’Or 1995

2. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)

The Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba, is our best African footballer pick on this list and one of the best African Premier League players. He was the quintessential world-class forward – quick, fast and strong. The Chelsea legend, who became the first player from Africa to score 100 Premier League goals, was a nightmare to his opponents. Drogba was a serial winner during his lengthy stay at Stamford Bridge as he lifted four Premier League titles and the Champions League trophy. The Ivory Coast captain amassed 65 goals in just 105 caps for his country. 

Didier Drogba’s 2005 plea for peace in Ivory Coast wasn’t scripted; he improvised it on live TV, halting a civil war. As the best African Premier League player, his pre-game ritual included listening to Ivorian folk music to stay grounded. Post-retirement, his cocoa farm empire helped fuel jobs back home, blending business savvy with patriotism.

Player Name	Country	No. of Appearances	Goals	Honors and Awards
Didier Drogba	Ivory Coast	105	65	African footballer of the year EPL Golden Boot x 2

1. Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Mohamed Salah is a modern-day great and an absolute legend. After faltering at Chelsea and AS Roma, Salah found his footing with Liverpool and went on to win the Premier League and Champions League. Salah is one of the finest players to have ever played for the Reds. The Egyptian forward has won multiple Premier League Golden Boots and African Footballer of the Year titles two times. The 32-year-old winger is one of the most prolific goal-scorers and has already scored 241 goals in less than 400 games for Liverpool. Egyptians fondly call him the “Fourth Pyramid” for his grace.

The Best African Footballer icon worked as a UN’s Instant Network Schools program ambassador, promoting girls’ education. After all the buzz, Liverpool managed to get his signature on the contract extension, believing his red-hot form will help them win plenty of trophies for the next few years.

Player Name	Country	No. of Appearances	Goals	Honors and Awards
Mohamed Salah	Egypt	103	58	African player of the year x 2 Puskas Award EPL Golden Boot x 3 Footballer of the Year x 2

Bonus Section: Last 10 African Player of the Year

Winner	Year
Ademola Lookman	2024
Victor Osimhen	2023
Sadio Mane	2022
Sadio Mane	2019
Mohamed Salah	2018
Mohamed Salah	2017
Riyad Mahrez	2016
Pierre-Emrick Aubameyang	2015
Yaya Toure	2014
Yaya Toure	2013

List of 10 Best African Players of All Time

Rank	Player Name	Country
1	Mohamed Salah	Egypt
2	Didier Drogba	Ivory Coast
3	George Weah	Liberia
4	Samuel Eto’o	Cameroon
5	Yaya Toure	Ivory Coast
6	Sadio Mane	Senegal
7	Michael Essien	Ghana
8	Abedi Pele	Ghana
9	Riyad Mahrez	Algeria
10	Rabah Madjer	Algeria

Also Read: Ranking the top 10 best South African footballers of All-time

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