Top African Footballers of All Time
Africa's passion for football has produced some truly outstanding players over the decades. From pioneers in earlier decades to today's stars, this list celebrates those who have excelled on both club and international stages.
32. Benni McCarthy
Starting with a prolific spell at Cape Town's Seven Stars in the mid-1990s, Benni McCarthy moved on to score goals for clubs like Ajax, Porto, and Blackburn Rovers. Widely considered South Africa’s best striker, he represented Bafana Bafana at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.
31. Essam El Hadary
Essam El Hadary enjoyed an exceptionally long career as a goalkeeper, debuting professionally in 1993 and retiring in 2020. With 159 caps for Egypt, he won the Africa Cup of Nations four times and became the oldest player to appear in a World Cup match at age 45 in 2018.
30. Lucas Radebe
Integral to South Africa’s 1996 AFCON win and captain during the 1998 World Cup, Lucas Radebe ranks among Africa’s finest defenders. He captained Leeds United, inspiring local band Kaiser Chiefs to name themselves after his former club Kaizer Chiefs.
29. Asamoah Gyan
Asamoah Gyan earned over 100 caps and scored more than 50 goals for Ghana, nearly leading them to the 2010 World Cup semifinals. The striker wore the unusual number three jersey and played for Udinese, Rennes, and Sunderland among others.
28. Hossam Hassan
One of the most-capped international players ever, Egyptian forward Hossam Hassan appeared 176 times, scoring 68 goals. Mostly playing for Al Ahly, he helped Egypt win three AFCON titles and took part in the 1990 World Cup.
27. Sulley Muntari
Sulley Muntari, known for his aggressive midfield play, won 84 caps for Ghana and was part of their 2010 World Cup quarterfinal team. He also lifted the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008 and starred in Inter Milan’s treble-winning season under Jose Mourinho.
26. Vincent Enyeama
Standing at five-foot-eleven, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama defied expectations to become one of Africa’s best in his position. With 101 caps for Nigeria and a 2013 AFCON title to his name, he also featured at two World Cups and had a notable club career with Lille.
25. Freddie Kanoute
Born in France but representing Mali internationally, Freddie Kanoute was the first non-African-born player to be African Footballer of the Year in 2007. He enjoyed success at Sevilla, scoring 137 goals and winning back-to-back UEFA Cups in 2006 and 2007.
24. Kolo Toure
Kolo Toure was a vital part of Arsenal’s Invincibles squad that went unbeaten in the 2003/04 Premier League season. He also won the league with Manchester City and helped Ivory Coast win the 2015 AFCON, earning 120 caps along the way.
23. Mohamed Aboutrika
Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Aboutrika earned iconic status with 100 caps and two AFCON titles. At Al Ahly, he won seven consecutive league titles and was top scorer at the 2006 Club World Cup.
22. Emmanuel Adebayor
Recognized as Togo’s greatest player, Emmanuel Adebayor led his country to their first World Cup in 2006 and secured a big move from Monaco to Arsenal. He made the 2007/08 Premier League PFA Team of the Year and won the 2008 African Player of the Year award.
21. Lauren
Another Arsenal Invincible, Lauren transitioned from midfield to become a dependable right-back. His international career was brief but productive, winning two AFCON titles and Olympic gold in 2000 for Cameroon.
20. Rigobert Song
Capped 137 times for Cameroon, Rigobert Song won two AFCON titles and played in four World Cups. The dreadlocked defender won trophies with clubs including Metz, Liverpool, and Galatasaray, and later managed Cameroon at the 2022 World Cup.
19. Bruce Grobbelaar
Though born in South Africa, Bruce Grobbelaar represented Zimbabwe internationally. He gained fame as Liverpool’s eccentric goalkeeper, especially for his antics in the 1984 European Cup final penalty shootout against Roma.
18. Geremi
Geremi had a unique career path across several countries and leagues. A versatile right-back capped 118 times by Cameroon, he won two AFCON trophies and Olympic gold, plus Champions League titles with Real Madrid and Premier League titles with Chelsea.
17. Mahmoud El Khatib
A standout player in the 70s and 80s, Mahmoud El Khatib helped Egypt end a 27-year AFCON drought in 1986. Spending his entire club career at Al Ahly, he later became the club president, overseeing ten league titles between 1975 and 1987.
16. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
French-born Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is Gabon’s finest, following his father as national captain. He won the 2015 African Player of the Year and shared the 2018/19 Premier League Golden Boot, leading Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal during his career.
15. Thomas N'Kono
Legendary Cameroonian goalkeeper Thomas N'Kono inspired future greats with his displays, notably at the 1990 World Cup where Cameroon reached the quarter-finals. He also managed the national team in 2009 and won six continental championships.
14. Sammy Kuffour
Considered Africa’s best defender by some, Ghanaian Sammy Kuffour won six Bundesliga titles and the Champions League with Bayern Munich. He represented Ghana at their first World Cup appearance in 2006.
13. Roger Milla
Among Africa’s first global superstars, Roger Milla scored four goals at the 1990 World Cup at age 38. A two-time African Footballer of the Year and double AFCON winner, he also scored again in the 1994 World Cup.
12. Nwankwo Kanu
Popular with Arsenal fans, Nwankwo Kanu had already won the Champions League with Ajax and UEFA Cup with Inter Milan before joining the Gunners. Standing six-foot-six, the Nigerian was a 1996 Olympic champion and won two Premier League titles.
11. Rabah Madjer
The first African outfield player to win the European Cup, Rabah Madjer is an Algerian icon. He scored the decisive equalizer in Porto’s 1987 European triumph and helped Algeria win the 1990 AFCON, playing in two World Cups before that.
10. Jay-Jay Okocha
Known for his flair, Jay-Jay Okocha joined Bolton Wanderers in 2002 and entertained Premier League fans. A 1994 AFCON winner and seven-time Nigerian Footballer of the Year, he also won Olympic gold in 1996.
9. Michael Essien
Michael Essien was one of Europe’s best box-to-box midfielders, shining at Chelsea after a record transfer from Lyon in 2005. The Ghanaian contributed to Chelsea’s 2005/06 Premier League win and their 2011/12 Champions League triumph.
8. Abedi Pele
Nicknamed for his skills, Abedi Pele won the 1992/93 Champions League with Marseille. He was African Footballer of the Year three years running (1991-1993) and won the 1982 AFCON with Ghana.
7. Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez starred in Leicester City’s 2015/16 Premier League title surprise, earning PFA Player of the Year. He later joined Manchester City for £60 million, won another league title, AFCON, and finally the Champions League in 2023.
6. Sadio Mane
After making waves at Red Bull Salzburg and Southampton, Sadio Mane rose to stardom with Liverpool, winning the Premier League and Champions League. The Senegalese forward also lifted AFCON in 2022 with his national team.
5. Yaya Toure
A dominant midfielder, Yaya Toure played a key role in three Premier League titles at Manchester City. He won African Footballer of the Year four times consecutively and captained Ivory Coast to the 2015 AFCON crown.
4. Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba was the first African to score 100 Premier League goals. At Chelsea, he won four league titles, the Champions League, two African Player of the Year awards, and two Premier League Golden Boots. He scored 65 goals in 105 appearances for Ivory Coast.
3. Samuel Eto'o
Samuel Eto'o, a four-time African Footballer of the Year, was a goal-scoring machine with Barcelona and Inter Milan, winning the Champions League with both. He earned 118 caps and scored 56 goals for Cameroon, winning two AFCON titles and Olympic gold.
2. George Weah
Africa’s first Ballon d'Or winner in 1995 and FIFA World Player of the Year that same year, George Weah never played at the World Cup but remains a legend. He won league titles with PSG and AC Milan and was the 1994/95 Champions League top scorer. Weah later became Liberia’s President.
1. Mo Salah
After a slow start at Chelsea, Mo Salah found his rhythm at Liverpool, becoming one of the world’s most feared attackers. He has multiple Premier League Golden Boots, two African Footballer of the Year awards, and honors such as PFA Players’ Player and FWA Footballer of the Year.
