The best African footballers of all time

Africa has long produced some of the football icons of all time, many of whom have taken their talents to European shores.

Players from teams such as Cameroon, Nigeria and Egypt have wowed fans around the world, writing their names in the football history books.

Many of Africa's happiest footballers have hung up their boots during the 21st century, but there are still a large number of superstars from the continent. Who are still cutting trees at the elite level.

Here are the greatest African footballers of all time – ranked, of course.

Lauren was one of many players Arsene Wenger plucked from relative obscurity, but the Cameroon international quickly rewarded his manager. By the time she arrived in 2000, Lauren was an integral part of both ArsenalPremier League victories in the 21st century, including playing at right-back during the legendary 'Invincibles' campaign.

An FA Cup winner with Portsmouth and two-time Africa Cup of Nations champion with Cameroon, Loren made a surprising early retirement from international football when he was just 25 years old.

Africa's leading players have often been deployed in the final third of the pitch, but Thomas N'Kono was brilliant between the posts. The 63-cap Cameroon international has represented his country for two decades, often saving his most eye-catching performances for major tournaments.

He played in three FIFA World Cups and was twice named African Player of the Year, and particularly impressed at the 1990 World Cup when Cameroon reached the quarter-finals. His performances in Italy were so impressive that the great Gianluigi Buffon was inspired to make a career as a goalkeeper, even naming his son Luis Thomas after the Cameroonian.

“Watching N'Kono in goal sparked something and motivated me to become a goalkeeper, because I loved to death the way he explained the goalkeeping role,” the 2006 World Cup winner admitted.

So good that they called him Jay Jay Okocha twice, as he made millions of Nigerians fall in love with football. The former Paris Saint-Germain and Bolton Wanderers (yes Bolton) star was known for his flair, trickery and individual brilliance, playing with an infectious joy that left fans delighted.

Okocha may not have been the most consistent footballer or one with a particularly illustrious career, but there was something special about seeing an accomplished artiste unleash a nutmeg or another move.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has faded into obscurity a bit in the modern era, and is now plying his trade in the Saudi Professional League. It's easy to forget how destructive the Gabonese international was during his peak years at Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal.

He won the African Footballer of the Year award while playing for the first team in 2015, and followed this success by finishing on the podium three times in a row. Had it not been for a certain group of exciting African talents emerging at the same time, the speedy and prolific striker would have received far greater individual accolades.

Having failed to live up to his billing at Inter following his debut at Ajax, Wenger took a punt on Nwankwo Kanu at Arsenal. The French manager's gamble quickly paid off, as the Nigerian became a relentless force in north London.

A regular goalscorer both from the start and off the bench, Kanu was consistently impressive as the Gunners won two Premier League titles, even if he was not the star of the show at Highbury.

However, his impressive run of victories with Arsenal was not repeated on the international stage, with Kanu finishing second or third in the Africa Cup of Nations on five separate occasions. Oh.

He was heralded as the originator of goal celebrationRoger Milla saved his best on the international stage. The oldest World Cup goalscorer (42 years and 39 days) has often provided great moments for Cameroon in high-profile matches, scoring four goals in the 1990 World Cup alone.

Milla's longevity has been as impressive as his goalscoring returns for his country, with the striker spending most of his playing career as a reliable goalscorer in France.

The two-time African Footballer of the Year – whose victories came 14 years apart – left a lasting legacy for his continent.

Nicknamed 'The Bison', it became immediately clear what kind of footballer Michael Essien was at his peak. A powerful tackling midfielder with powerful strides and a powerful right foot, the Ghanaian has achieved success in… Chelsea Over a period of nine years.

The two-time Premier League champion, four-time FA Cup winner and 2011/12 Champions League winner has proven to be a transformative figure in the Blues' midfield as he has transformed into a global force.

Leicester City barely made headlines when they signed Riyad Mahrez for £450,000 from Le Havre in 2014. While the Algerian impressed in his first 18 months at the King Power Stadium, it was the 2015/16 season that saw him gain a higher reputation.

As a key member of Leicester's surprise title-winning side, the silky winger dazzled with his pace and magical left boot. A regular provider for Jamie Vardy and a similarly skilled goalscorer, his brilliance eventually led to a move to Manchester City in 2018.

Although he has never been a guaranteed starter at the Etihad Stadium, Mahrez has been extremely reliable when called upon. Deployed on the right wing, the quick-footed striker has won plenty during a glittering spell with the Citizens.

Abedi Pele did not have to wait for international tournaments to leave his mark on European fans. The Ghanaian joined Marseille in 1987 and quickly announced himself as one of Africa's leading talents.

Pele was part of Marseille's outstanding striker trio alongside Chris Waddle and Ballon d'Or winner Jean-Pierre Papin, and won the Champions League with the French giants in the 1992/93 season after failing to reach the final several years earlier.

The attacking midfielder is one of the pioneers of African football, one of only four players to have won the African Footballer of the Year award on three or more occasions.

Sadio Mane dominated the Premier League upon his arrival at Southampton in 2014. He scored 21 goals during two league seasons with the Saints and, as was usual at the time, was later beaten. Liverpool.

The Reds spent big on the Senegalese star when Jurgen Klopp began his revolution at Anfield and Mane has proven to be an invaluable piece of the latest puzzle. The indefatigable winger was a master scorer, a powerful dribbler and an impressive playmaker, forming one of the most respected trios of the modern era alongside Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.

He won the Premier League and Champions League on Merseyside, and even finished second in the Ballon d'Or voting in 2022.

2013/14 Yaya Toure was something else. As Manchester City battled Liverpool on their way to Premier League glory, the Ivorian international was the man pulling the strings and deciding matches in the engine room.

20 Premier League goals from midfield is a ridiculous number, and the effortless Ivorian has proven plenty of manipulating midfield across the country.

Toure reached his peak during that season, but he was an exceptional footballer long before and after that legendary season. No player has won the African Player of the Year award (4).

The only African to win the Ballon d'Or – apart from Mozambique-born Eusebio who played for Portugal – George Weah was a sensation in the 1990s. He won football's most prestigious individual award in 1995 – the first year non-Europeans were able to collect the award – and the Liberian star was a key member of the wild-card AC Milan side.

Having won two Serie A titles in Italy after already excelling in France, Weah's career has faded slightly after largely unspectacular spells in England, but he remains one of Africa's all-time greats having collected a host of individual and team accolades.

If you need a player to deliver a defining moment in the toughest of lights, Didier Drogba is the man to call. The Ivorian international was a shining light in an exciting Chelsea side throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, leading the line with the perfect blend of power and precision.

Drogba scored nine goals in ten finals while playing for the Blues, including an equalizer and decisive penalty as Chelsea won their first ever Champions League title in 2011/12. Masterpiece events were Drogba's bread and butter.

There are four Premier League titles and as many FA Cup titles in the striker's impressive trophy cabinet, with Drogba earning the unparalleled admiration of Chelsea fans during the club's most successful period.

Samuel Eto'o took a somewhat strange path to stardom. After signing on real madrid In 1997, the Cameroonian moved between several Spanish clubs on loan before impressing at Mallorca and eventually securing a permanent move to Al Jazira.

After four successful years, Eto'o is now representing a Spanish giant once again – but it has been a success for Real Madrid. Classico Competitors Barcelona instead of. The ruthless striker triumphed in Catalonia, winning two Champions League titles and three La Liga titles.

A move to Inter led to further success and another Champions League title, with the four-time African Footballer of the Year eventually ending his career as one of Africa's most decorated players.

Now we come to the greatest. Mohamed Salah.

Although arguments can be made for the likes of Weah, Drogba and Eto'o, none of them are convincing enough. Salah has longevity, individual quality and a trophy cabinet that rivals other African giants.

After initially failing to impress at Chelsea, Salah rebuilt his reputation in Italy with Fiorentina and Roma, and convinced Liverpool to offer the Egyptian king a chance at redemption. So he took it with both hands.

Still defying belief with his incredible goal scoring and brilliant displays for Liverpool, the consistency and genius he continues to display puts him on another level. Long live the king.

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