Ranking the Top 10 Muslim Footballers in the World

Football has been blessed with some of the great players from across the globe. This beautiful sport has unconditionally united fans and players from across cultures, religions, races, and colours. Over the years, uncountable Muslim football players have gracefully competed and etched their names in the history book of the Sport.

From legendary players such as Mesut Ozil and Karim Benzema to modern-day stars like Ousmane Dembele and Mohamed Salah who preach Islam have cemented their places in football history. These players have lifted some of the biggest glories in club and International footballs and played with elite clubs in leagues like La Liga, Premier League and more.

Hence making it to the list of the top Muslim football players in the world. Without making further ado, let’s talk about the great players from the Muslim community. Based on the footballers’ connection with their Muslim faith.

Ranking Factors

• Muslim by Faith: Any player on the list, should belong to Islam or should be preaching Islam as their religion.
• Playing Career: The player’s playing career with both club and country is taken into consideration.
• Individual stats: Individual stats like, goals, assists and number of matches are another key factor.
• Silverware: Number of trophies and titles with their respective teams (Club & Country).

Top 10 Muslim Football Players

10. Ousmane Dembele (France & PSG)

Ousmane Dembele is one of the best Muslim Soccer players in the world. Born in 1997, the versatile forward has been climbing up the stairs of success quickly in soccer. He represents the French football team and Paris Saint-Germain. The French winger began to savour success in his Borussia Dortmund days. Later on when he joined FC Barcelona he stunned culers with his ability to play equally good with both feet. But Injuries kept him away from the pitch and later on he joined Paris Saint Germain.

Through utilizing his incredible pace and dribbling skills, he has excelled on the field. Former Barcelona winger, now playing for French side PSG has been playing a key figure in their dominant run in their domestic league and UEFA Champions League this season. Ousmane Dembele has helped his team reach UEFA Champions League semi final using his extra ordinary skills. Till now in his club career he has scored 100 goals and provided 92 assists in 348 games.

Appearances	348
Goals	100
Assists	92
Clubs	Rennes, Borussia Dortmund, FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain

9. Paul Pogba (France & Free Agent)

Paul Pogba has been a folkloric figure in soccer for his interesting career graph. Renowned for his shooting prowess, physicality and creative flair, the Frenchman is regarded as one of the elite players in football. Despite his engagement in several controversial incidents, Pogba has been an important asset for clubs like Juventus and Manchester United. Pogba got banned from playing professional football since 2023 after he was found guilty in a case related to consumption of illegal substance.

He was instrumental in France’s 2018 World Cup victory. Paul Pogba‘s presence in the midfield helped the Les Blues dominate games after games in the last decade. A serial major title winner, Pogba is one of the most influential Muslim football players in history. Although, the former Juventus midfielder is now banned from playing football after doping, teams will be looking to add him to their roster with the diverse experience he has playing in Serie A and the English Premier League.

Appearances	423
Goals	73
Assists	85
Clubs	Manchester United, Juventus

8. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Al Ahli)

According to Riyad Mahrez’s latest contract with the Saudi Premier League club, he is the highest-paid African footballer as of now. His smooth dribbling skills, agility, and vision have brought plenty of success during his stints with Leicester City and Manchester City respectively. Mahrez, right wing and Manchester City, his peak moment at Manchester City was at another level making him loved by City fans.

The Algerian football team captain has been inspiring Muslim players across the world after coming through a hard yet commendable journey. Mahrez is the kind of soccer player who has the ability to change the course of a game single-handedly within a minute. Riyad Mahrez has scored 161 times for different clubs combined and helped his teams with goal scoring 133 times.

Appearances	555
Goals	161
Assists	133
Clubs	Quimper, Le Havre, Leicester City, Manchester City, Al-Ahli

7. Ilkay Gundogan (Germany & Manchester City)

One of the most successful midfielders, Ilkay Gundogan is popular for his passing range and tactical brilliance. Besides representing Germany at the international level, he has played for Manchester City, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund. His peak form came when he was playing for Manchester City. After Manchester City he joined FC Barcelona where his stint was not so impressive. He came back to Manchester City and he is enjoying his last days of his career there.

One of the greatest Muslim soccer players, Gundogan has made a habit of winning prestigious accolades everywhere he has played in his life so far. Many fans are unaware that he is a practising Muslim and has already established his name as one of the top Muslim football players. The German has found the net 117 times for clubs like VfL Bochum, Nurnberg, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and FC Barcelona providing 79 assists

Appearances	647
Goals	117
Assists	79
Clubs	VfL Bochum II, VfL Bochum U-19, FC Nürnberg, Borussia Dortmund, Man City, Barcelona

Also Read: Ranking 10 Best African Players of All Time: Mohamed Salah, Didier Drogba and others

6. Antonio Rudiger (Germany & Real Madrid)

Antonio Rudiger is an immensely popular and funny football player. When we talk about his celebrations, he has managed to offend opponent fans, like – Celebrating furiously after beating Atletico Madrid in UEFA Champions League 2024/25 knockout round. Especially known for his brilliant defensive awareness, leadership qualities and incredible speed. Rudiger is a religious man and a devoted top Muslim football player.

Rudiger has been part of some of the successful clubs like Chelsea and Real Madrid. After joining the Spanish giants, Los Blancos in 2022, the German centre-back has already won seven major titles with the La Liga giants. This Muslim footballer has helped many goalkeepers to keep clean sheets in their game. Antonio Rudiger has scored 31 goals and provided 14 assists in his career till now.

Appearances	569
Goals	31
Assists	14
Clubs	VfB Stuttgart, Roma, Chelsea, Real Madrid

5. Sadio Mane (Senegal & Al Nassr)

If you ask about a successful soccer journey that will inspire millions across the world, then you need to look at Sadio Mane. Hailing from a remote village in Senegal, the skillful attacker is now playing alongside one of the soccer greats, Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr and captains Senegal. Mane has helped in development of his village by opening schools, Hospitals and opening football fields for youngsters. He is a perfect example of player who follows his religion and apply those teachings in real life.

Before coming to Saudi Arabia, the forward had become a Liverpool legend after sending the Premier League fans into a frenzy through his technicality, scoring prowess and dribbling. Mane had played a pivotal role in guiding the Reds to Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles. Sadio Mane in 575 matches has scored 232 goals and provided 114 assists for different clubs like Metz, Red Bull Salzburg, Southampton, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Al Nassr.

Appearances	575
Goals	232
Assists	114
Clubs	Metz, Red Bull Salzburg, Southampton, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Al Nassr

4. Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool)

Salah is celebrated for his incredible dribbling, accurate shooting and scoring ability, Mohamed Salah is one of the most skilled wingers in modern-day soccer. The Egyptian captain was a cog in the attacking wheel of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, where he has won prestigious silverware like the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup.

He is doing an exceptional job with the Reds leading the Premier League Golden Boot race and leading his club in the race to clinch the UEFA Champions League and English League title under Arne Slot. Salah is the best player in the EPL and Europe according to the current stats. The maestro from Egypt has scored 320 goals and till now has provided 160 assists .

Appearances	647
Goals	320
Assists	160
Clubs	Al Mokawloon, Basel, Chelsea, Roma, Liverpool

Also Read: Ranking top 10 best French footballers of all-time

3. N’Golo Kante (France & Al Ittihad)

The French International, N’Golo Kante, one of the best defensive midfielders in Chelsea’s history, is another figure in the greatest Muslim footballers’ list. The Al Ittihad player is an inspiration to many young footballers across the world for his work ethic, physical strength and humble behaviour. N’Golo Kante has shown the world by that by following his religion and applying their principles in real life one can remain calm even on the field where players are filled with adrenaline.

During his time with Chelsea, he won the Champions League and Premier League after lifting the English domestic title previously with Leicester City in the 2015/16 season. Kante’s heroics propelled France to the FIFA World Cup title in 2018. N’golo Kante is termed as one of the greatest when it comes to midfield. The Frenchman has scored 31 goals and provided 38 assists for different clubs in his career till now.

Appearances	502
Goals	31
Assists	38
Clubs	Boulogne, Caen, Leicester City, Chelsea, Al Ittihad

2. Mesut Ozil ( Germany & Retired)

Mesut Ozil is one of the most celebrated Muslim players in the history of soccer. The former Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder was a joy to watch when he had a ball on his feet. Even after his retirement, his footballing IQ, passing ability, one-touch and vision are talked about during important football matches. Many say that he was one of the most underrated players of all time.

He was a maestro in unlocking tight defence with accurate passing and crosses. Ozil’s career peaked when he won the 2014 World Cup with Germany. Many don’t know that he is deeply connected with the Muslim faith. Every year he visits the holy place of Islam, Mecca to offer his prayers. The German has scored 114 goals while providing 218 assists.

Appearances	645
Goals	114
Assists	218
Clubs	Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Fenerbahce, Istanbul Basaksehir

1. Karim Benzema (France & Al Ittihad)

One of the most prolific forwards in soccer, Karim Benzema is a legendary Muslim football player. He currently plays for Saudi Club, Al Ittihad after spending several successful years in Europe. From the UEFA Champions League to La Liga, from the UEFA Super Cup to the Club World Cup, Benzema has won every possible trophy out there with Real Madrid. His positional awareness, shooting ability and finishing has helped him thrive in the opponents’ penalty box.

Former Real Madrid striker also won the best individual award, Ballon d’Or in 2022 and has often shown his happiness after moving to Saudi Arabia in the twilight of his career due to his Muslim faith. Karim Benzema is one of the best Muslim Soccer players in the world. Benzema has played 852 matches in which he has 452 goals and helped his team to score goals 192 times. Karim Benzema stands at Number 1 position in our list of best Muslim players in the world.

Appearances	852
Goals	452
Assists	192
Clubs	Lyon, Real Madrid, Al Ittihad

Best Muslim Football Players

RANK	PLAYER NAME	CLUB	COUNTRY
1	Karim Benzema	Al Ittihad	France
2	Mesut Ozil	Retired	Germany
3	N’Golo Kante	Al Ittihad	France
4	Mohamed Salah	Liverpool	Egypt
5	Sadio Mane	Al Nassr	Senegal
6	Antonio Rudiger	Real Madrid	Germany
7	Ilkay Gundogan	Barcelona	Germany
8	Riyad Mahrez	Al Ahli	Algeria
9	Paul Pogba	Free Agent	France
10	Ousmane Dembele	PSG	France

Also Read: 10 Greatest German Footballers Of All Time

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