Top African Footballers of All Time

Africa has a long and proud tradition in football, producing some truly remarkable players who have excelled at both club and international levels. From pioneers in the 1970s and 80s to today's stars, these athletes have made an impact across all positions on the field.

32. Benni McCarthy

Benni McCarthy’s goal-scoring for Cape Town's Seven Stars in the 1990s earned him a move to Europe, where he thrived with Ajax, Porto, and Blackburn Rovers. Widely regarded as South Africa’s finest striker, he represented Bafana Bafana at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

31. Essam El Hadary

Goalkeeper Essam El Hadary’s career spanned from 1993 to 2020, earning 159 caps for Egypt. A four-time Africa Cup of Nations winner, he set the record as the oldest player in World Cup history by playing at age 45 in 2018.

30. Lucas Radebe

Lucas Radebe was vital to South Africa’s 1996 AFCON triumph and captained the national team at the 1998 World Cup. At Leeds United, his legendary status inspired the name of the indie band Kaiser Chiefs, referencing his former club Kaizer Chiefs.

29. Asamoah Gyan

With over 100 caps and more than 50 goals for Ghana, Asamoah Gyan came close to leading them to the 2010 World Cup semi-finals. The striker played for clubs like Udinese, Rennes, and Sunderland and was twice an AFCON runner-up.

28. Hossam Hassan

Egyptian forward Hossam Hassan featured in 176 games and scored 68 goals for his country. Spending most of his club career with Al Ahly, he helped Egypt win three AFCON titles and appeared at the 1990 World Cup.

27. Sulley Muntari

Known for his tough midfield presence, Sulley Muntari earned 84 caps for Ghana and helped them reach the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals. He lifted the FA Cup with Portsmouth and was part of Inter Milan’s 2008/09 treble-winning squad.

26. Vincent Enyeama

Despite being relatively short for a goalkeeper at 5'11", Vincent Enyeama became one of Africa's finest in goal. Capped 101 times by Nigeria, he played mainly for Lille and helped his nation win the 2013 AFCON and compete in two World Cups.

25. Freddie Kanoute

Born in France but representing Mali, Freddie Kanoute was the first non-African-born player to win African Footballer of the Year in 2007. After stints at Lyon, West Ham, and Tottenham, he shined at Sevilla, scoring 137 goals and winning consecutive UEFA Cups.

24. Kolo Toure

Kolo Toure was nearly ever-present in Arsenal’s unbeaten 2003/04 Premier League campaign and later won the title with Manchester City. He earned 120 caps for Ivory Coast, contributing to their 2015 AFCON victory.

23. Mohamed Aboutrika

Egyptian attacking midfielder Mohamed Aboutrika, a two-time AFCON winner, earned 100 caps and lifted seven straight Egyptian Premier League titles with Al Ahly. He was the top scorer at the 2006 Club World Cup and African Player of the Year runner-up in 2008.

22. Emmanuel Adebayor

Togo's finest player ever, Emmanuel Adebayor led his country to their first World Cup qualification in 2006 and moved from Monaco to Arsenal. He was named African Player of the Year in 2008 and made the Premier League PFA Team of the Year that season.

21. Lauren

Another member of Arsenal’s Invincibles, Lauren transitioned from midfield to become a reliable right-back. In five years with Cameroon, he won two AFCON titles and Olympic gold in 2000.

20. Rigobert Song

Rigobert Song earned 137 caps in a 17-year career for Cameroon, winning two AFCON titles and playing in four World Cups. He won trophies with clubs like Metz, Liverpool, Galatasaray, and Trabzonspor, later coaching Cameroon at the 2022 World Cup.

19. Bruce Grobbelaar

Born in South Africa but representing Zimbabwe internationally, Bruce Grobbelaar is best remembered for his eccentric goalkeeping at Liverpool, notably in the 1984 European Cup final where his antics helped secure victory.

18. Geremi

Geremi’s career took him across several countries, including Cameroon, Paraguay, Turkey, Spain, England, and Cyprus. A versatile right-back, he won two AFCON titles, Olympic gold, two Champions League trophies with Real Madrid, and two Premier League titles with Chelsea.

17. Mahmoud El Khatib

One of Africa’s best players in the 70s and 80s, Mahmoud El Khatib was instrumental in Egypt’s 1986 AFCON win. He spent his entire club career at Al Ahly and later became the club’s president, leading them to 10 league titles between 1975 and 1987.

16. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

French-born Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is Gabon's greatest player, captaining the national team like his father before him. He captained Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal and won the 2015 African Player of the Year and shared the 2018/19 Premier League Golden Boot.

15. Thomas N'Kono

Legendary Cameroonian goalkeeper Thomas N'Kono inspired future greats like Gianluigi Buffon. He starred at the 1990 World Cup and helped Cameroon win AFCON in 1984. He later managed the national team in 2009.

14. Sammy Kuffour

Ghanaian defender Sammy Kuffour joined Bayern Munich in 1993, winning six Bundesliga titles and the Champions League during a trophy-laden 12 years. He was a U17 world champion in 1991 and represented Ghana at their first World Cup in 2006.

13. Roger Milla

Roger Milla gained global fame at the 1990 World Cup by scoring four goals at 38 years old. The two-time African Footballer of the Year and double AFCON winner also scored at the 1994 World Cup after winning the Coupe de France with Monaco and Bastia.

12. Nwankwo Kanu

Nigeria’s fan favorite Nwankwo Kanu won the Champions League with Ajax and UEFA Cup with Inter Milan before joining Arsenal. Standing six-foot-six, he was a 1996 Olympic champion and contributed key goals during his time under Arsene Wenger.

11. Rabah Madjer

Rabah Madjer was the first African outfield player to win the European Cup, becoming an icon for Porto and Algeria. He equalized in Porto's 1987 European Cup win and helped Algeria win AFCON in 1990, playing in their first two World Cups.

10. Jay-Jay Okocha

Jay-Jay Okocha joined Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer in 2002 and became one of the Premier League’s most entertaining players. A 1994 AFCON winner and seven-time Nigerian Footballer of the Year, his skill thrilled fans across the UK.

9. Michael Essien

Michael Essien was among Europe's best box-to-box midfielders, shining at Chelsea after a £24.4 million move from Lyon in 2005. The Ghanaian helped Chelsea win the 2005/06 Premier League and the 2011/12 Champions League.

8. Abedi Pele

Abedi Pele won the 1992/93 Champions League with Marseille and was African Footballer of the Year three consecutive times. His sons Andre, Jordan, and Rahim Ayew also represented Ghana, where he won the 1982 AFCON.

7. Riyad Mahrez

Riyad Mahrez was PFA Player of the Year in Leicester City's stunning 2015/16 Premier League win. He then transferred to Manchester City for £60 million, winning multiple titles and inspiring Algeria to AFCON victory, eventually capturing the Champions League in 2023.

6. Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane rose through Red Bull Salzburg and Southampton before joining Liverpool in 2016. He won the Premier League and Champions League with Liverpool and led Senegal to AFCON glory.

5. Yaya Toure

Yaya Toure was a dominant midfielder crucial to Manchester City’s three Premier League titles. He won African Footballer of the Year four times and captained Ivory Coast to their 2015 AFCON triumph, scoring over 20 Premier League goals in a single season.

4. Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba was the first African to score 100 Premier League goals, terrorizing defenders during his Chelsea spells. He won four Premier League titles and the Champions League, scored 65 goals in 105 caps, and earned two African Footballer of the Year awards.

3. Samuel Eto'o

Samuel Eto'o, a four-time African Footballer of the Year, scored prolifically for Barcelona and Inter Milan, winning the Champions League with both. He placed third in the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year voting and won two AFCON titles and Olympic gold with Cameroon.

2. George Weah

George Weah was Africa’s first Ballon d’Or winner in 1995 and also named FIFA World Player of the Year. Although he never played at a World Cup, the Liberian star won league titles with PSG and AC Milan and was the 1994/95 Champions League top scorer.

1. Mo Salah

Mo Salah initially struggled at Chelsea but flourished after joining Liverpool, becoming one of the world's deadliest attackers. Multiple Premier League Golden Boot winner, two-time African Footballer of the Year, and recipient of both PFA Players' Player and FWA Footballer of the Year awards, Salah is simply outstanding.