We have compiled the top 10 greatest African footballers of all time.
1.) At the top of the list is Samuel Eto’o, who had successful stints at clubs such as Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan. The Cameroonian forward scored 364 goals and provided 120 assists in 732 league matches, and he also scored 56 goals in 118 appearances for the Cameroon national team. The legendary player’s career includes 4 UEFA Champions League titles and 2 La Liga trophies.
2.) In second place is a star player whose career is still ongoing. Perhaps when his career is over, Mohamed Salah will be considered the greatest African footballer of all time. The Egyptian player, who has played for clubs like Chelsea and Roma, is best remembered for his successes at Liverpool. The right-winger has scored 298 goals and provided 151 assists in 618 league matches, and he has scored 58 goals in 101 appearances for the national team. Additionally, he ended Liverpool’s long wait for both a Champions League and a league title.
3.) In third place is Liberian forward George Weah. The legendary player, who scored 18 goals in 75 appearances for his national team, is best remembered for his time at Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. The Liberian won Serie A twice with his team and was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1995. He also achieved an impressive record of 193 goals and 64 assists in 478 league matches.
4.) In fourth place is another Premier League legend, Didier Drogba. However, unlike Salah, he is not a Liverpool icon; he is someone who won the hearts of Chelsea fans. The Ivorian legend scored 302 goals and provided 127 assists in 668 league matches. He also netted 65 goals in 105 appearances for his national team. Drogba won one Champions League and four Premier League titles with his team.
5.) In fifth place is a midfielder, Yaya Touré, who made a name for himself with his impressive performances at clubs like Barcelona and Manchester City. Despite playing in central positions and contributing defensively, Touré was also able to score many goals, earning him a place among the greats in world football. His career includes one Champions League title, three Premier League titles, and two La Liga championships.
6.) In sixth place is the Ghana national team legend, Abedi Pele, who played as an attacking midfielder. In the 1992/1993 season, he won the Champions League with Marseille andalso helped his team secure three league titles within four years. On the international stage, he won the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana.
7.) In 7th place is another Ghanaian, Michael Essien, a defensive midfielder who played for Chelsea and Real Madrid. He was known for his fast-paced game and defensive qualities. These attributes helped him win the Champions League once, Ligue 1 twice, and the Premier League twice.
8.) In 8th place is the Nigerian football legend, Jay-Jay Okocha, who is remembered for his aesthetic style of play. Okocha, who won the Africa Cup of Nations during his career, scored 15 goals in 75 appearances for the national team.
9.) In 9th place is Sadio Mané, an active player on the list, despite his recent dip in form. The star footballer was considered one of the best left wingers in the world during his time at Liverpool. With the Senegal national team, he scored 43 goals in 107 appearances and won one Africa Cup of Nations. In his club career, he already has over 200 goals and more than 100 assists. When his career comes to an end, he is likely to move up the list.
10.) At the last spot on the list is another active player, Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez, who is still the captain of his national team. With one Champions League title and five Premier League trophies in his club career, this star is currently continuing his career in Saudi Arabia
