Ranking the 10 Best Black Football Players of All Time

Football is a sport that supports inclusivity. No matter which country you are from, you might support a footballing nation that is on the other side of the planet. Irrespective of where you are from and how you grew up, you can dare to dream of the finest stage of them all, winning the most prestigious accolades. Our beloved sport is rich with history. Today, in particular, we shift the spotlights to the black football players. Black football players have profoundly influenced the sport, showcasing resilience, leadership, and talent on the global stage. 

Their contributions inside and outside of the pitch have broken barriers and inspired many generations. While ranking these great players, we’ve weighted their impact on the clubs they have played for, their scoring or playmaking efficiency, and legacy. Although we have also considered statistical numbers but remember that stats don’t tell the whole story. From Pele to Kylian Mbappe, take a look at who made it to our list of the best black football players:

Ranking Factors

Impact & Influence: The primary factor considered while compiling this list of the best black football players is their impact and influence on the clubs they’ve played for. Their ability to create a spark with their performances and lift morale.

Scoring Metrics: The second parameter we have considered while making this list of the best black football players is their ability to score goals and assists during key or crucial matches.

Trophies Won: The third metric considered while ranking the best black football players is the number of trophies won by them throughout their club career.

Top 10 Best Black Football Players

The football world has seen some of the finest talents emerge from the African land, with robust speed, vision, and unreal technicality, they have thoroughly entertained the fans for decades. Now, let’s take a look at some of the best black football players the world has seen.

10. Sadio Mane

At number 10, we have Sadio Mane, who has done exceptionally well for both his club and country for a while with consistency. A massive portion of Sadio’s salary goes to the welfare of his hometown and the outskirts of it. His impact during his stay with Liverpool was exceptional; maybe the highlight of his career was his time at Liverpool. His performance lit up the Anfield Stadium, with his curling shot from the left side of the field and his breathtaking assists.

Due to his honorable and charitable work, Sadio Mane has won the Socrates Award. His on-field performances are no short of impressive as well, winning domestic and European cups with the clubs he played for. Having played 581 games so far in his professional career, he has scored 236 goals while creating 119 assists. Impressive, Right? He has cemented his place as one of the best black football players in history and who knows, he might even move up ahead on our list, if he continues to perform.

Matches	Goals	Assists	Trophies
581	236	119	11

9. Kylian Mbappe

Taking a shift back to the recent years with the Frenchman. And we have every reason to, because while still young, the ex-PSG man has won a lot of trophies internationally and with his club. In his first time making it in the French squad for the World Cup, he won the trophy. Kylian Mbappe was exceptional in the tournament and gave defenders a nightmare when it came to catching him. The Frenchman is regarded as one of the best black football players of all time.

Moreover, his spells at PSG were consistent with a lot of Goals every season. From idolizing Cristiano Ronaldo to him being an idol to many young fans and players now, Mbappe has come a long way. Feels like yesterday, when he moved to PSG on the then-world record transfer fee, to becoming one of the deadliest strikers in the football world now. With his move to Real Madrid, it is a moment of time till he starts winning trophies in LA Liga.

Matches	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
436	329	132	18

8. Yaya Toure

If you are looking for a fine talent in football who has been consistent throughout his career but never got his due credit, it is Yaya Toure. From Barcelona to Manchester City, he has played under many coaches, and all of them are equally wowed by his defensive skills and deep-lying playmaking abilities. While many thought he had the potential to stand equal to Claude Makelele, his outside-of-the-pitch battles have wasted his potential.

What a player he was on the pitch. Toure had always gone under the radar for what he has done for Manchester City. Mostly playing as a holding midfielder, he dictated the tempo while ensuring he had his defenders covered. While his stats may lack in comparison to others on the list but his impact and influence loom larger on the success the Citizens have tasted.

Matches	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
626	104	72	17

7. Clarence Seedorf

If you ever ask a 90s football fan who was the strongest player in the world, their answer will be Clarence Seedorf. His impact and influence are defined by his unparalleled achievements, such as winning three UEFA Champions League that too with three different clubs. For some players, winning even one UCL trophy is a dream, this guy has won it with three clubs. Such a baller he has.

With 877 professional club career games under his belt, Seedorf has scored 128 goals and has created 136 assists. His professional career spanned 22 years, during which he won 19 trophies with clubs like AC Milan, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and more

Matches	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
877	128	136	19

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

6. N’Golo Kante

N’Golo Kante, one of the humblest and quietest football players in the world. The French midfielder made an impact and showed everyone with his class and consistency during their surprise campaign in the Premier League, where Leicester City won the league title. Although he isn’t known for his scoring abilities, he has still done great.

Having played 506 games in his professional club career, Kante has scored 32 goals, while he has assisted 38 times. His ability to read the game with his timely interceptions and ability to build plays from the deep-lying position. He has established himself as one of the best black football players of all time.

Matches	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
506	32	38	7

5. Jay-Jay Okocha

Creativity and flair made him one of the greatest players in football history in his time. He is a legend when it comes to the best black football players in history. To this day, he is considered one of the most entertaining football players of all time. His influence extended way beyond Nigeria, winning fans worldwide.

Even the great Brazilian magician, Ronaldinho, stated that no one comes closer to Okocha’s brilliance on the ball. His ability to make defenders look stupid, with his unique yet entertaining dribbling, makes him one of the best black footballers in the history of the sport.

Matches	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
496	102	60	2

4. Didier Drogba

A top man on and off the pitch. Drogba is a living example of what a moment of a second can do in football. Jose Mourinho liked his performance when he was playing for Marseille. As Jose joined Chelsea, the first transfer he made was to buy Drogba from Marseille. He told Abrahamovic to pay and not speak. Boy, did that investment pay off. With 688 games to his name and scoring 302 goals, he is hailed as one of the best black football players of all time.

He was an integral part of Chelsea’s League trophies. In his second spell with the Blues, he secured the Champions League trophy with his winning kick in a penalty shootout. His popularity continued off the pitch with both football and political relations.

Matches	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
688	302	122	18

Also Read: Ranking the 10 Best African Players in Premier League History

3. Samuel Eto’o

Samuel Eto’o is a true Cameroonian legend. When it comes to club competitions, he has won a lot of trophies. From the La Liga with Barcelona to winning the treble with Inter to coming to the Premier League with Chelsea, the Cameroonian striker has won a lot of trophies. From the League titles to the UEFA Champions League, he has won a lot of silverware.

Having won 15 trophies in his illustrious club career, Eto’o established himself as one of the most clinical finishers the football world has seen. With 754 games in his professional club career, he has scored 368 goals and created 121 assists. He is highly regarded as one of the best black football players in the world.

Matches	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
754	368	121	15

2. George Weah

If we are speaking of the top African talents, George Weah is the name everyone expects to appear on the list. Till now, he is the first and only African player to win a Ballon d’Or. George Weah has broken the barrier and allowed generations of players to dream big and make it in Europe. His 1995 Ballon d’Or win has been a milestone in African football.

George Weah, a name streets won’t forget, from being a footballer to becoming the first African player to win the Ballon d’Or. He has played 478 games for clubs like Monaco, PSG, AC Milan, Chelsea, and more during his impressive professional club career. With 193 goals and 66 assists to his name alongside 11 trophies, he had a successful football career. Weah is regarded as one of the best black football players.

Matches	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
478	193	66	11

1. Pele

If Brazil is making a list and ranking their finest talents accordingly, Pele is miles clear. The Brazilian is considered one of the best in football. Due to his immeasurable impact, he is often hailed as one of the greatest football players of all time. From World Cup glories to personal accolades, he has written history that inspires every generation.

What a player and legend of the game he was, inspiring generations after generations with his skills and abilities. AS per IFFHS, the Brazilian legend has racked up 1241 goals, including unofficial friendlies and tour games in 1363 matches. Pele is highly regarded as one of the best black football players of all time.

Matches	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won
1363	1241	–	26

List of 10 Best Black Football Players of All Time

Rank	Player Name	Country	Notable Clubs
1	Pele	Brazil	Santos, New York Cosmos
2	George Weah	Liberia	PSG, AC Milan, Chelsea
3	Samuel Eto’o	Cameroon	Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea
4	Didier Drogba	Ivory Coast	Chelsea, Marseille, Galatasaray
5	Jay-Jay Okocha	Nigeria	Fenerbahce, Hull City, PSG
6	N’Golo Kante	France	Leicester City, Chelsea, Al Ittihad
7	Clarence Seedorf	Netherlands	Inter Mila, Real Madrid, AC Milan
8	Yaya Toure	Ivory Coast	Man City, Barcelona, Monaco
9	Kylian Mbappe	France	Monaco, PSG, Real Madrid
10	Sadio Mane	Senegal	Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Al Nassr

Also Read: Ranking the Best African Players to Have Played for Manchester United