African nations may not be major powers on the international stage, but they have long produced some of the world's most destructive footballers.
You only have to look at the past two decades of the Premier League to see the superstars Africa has provided for the world's most prestigious league, with the likes of Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure and Michael Essien dazzling English fans.
However, some of Africa's greatest talents are still plying their trade at an elite level, with a new generation of rising talent competing with the continent's exceptional veterans.
Here are the best African footballers in the world right now – ranked.
Only one African player, George Weah, has previously won the Ballon d'Or, but Sadio Mane came very close to winning it in 2022. After a sensational campaign for club and country, the Senegalese star finished second in the voting behind escaped victor Karim Benzema.
Mane had already left Liverpool by the time he claimed the silver medal, with his shares taking a hit in the years following his departure from Anfield. A harrowing spell at Bayern Munich saw them make a lucrative move to Al-Nassr in 2023, with the experienced winger no longer testing himself against the best in the world.
Alongside his fellow African midfielder Babe Matar Sarr, Malian international Yves Bissouma continues to shine in the tournament Tottenham Hotspur Midline. Combatant and tireless, the former Brighton & Hove Albion player is among the most impressive players in the Premier League when they're in action.
Bringing more consistency is the challenge for Bissouma, who, much like Tottenham, tends to fluctuate hot and cold. However, he is a huge talent and a key cog in Ange Postecoglou's machine with a thirst for a challenge.
Free transfers don't come much better than Omar Marmoush. The Egyptian had already proven to be vital for Wolfsburg during the 2022/23 season before impressing at Eintracht Frankfurt for next to nothing. It's fair to say he's had a lot of success with the Eagles.
Marmoush impressed in his first season in Frankfurt, scoring 17 goals in all competitions, a tally he is expected to break this season. The versatile striker has terrorized Bundesliga defenses with his speed and brutality and has transformed into an exceptional striker.
In case you missed it, yes, Brahim Diaz now represents Morocco on the international stage. After he participated in one match with the Spanish national team real madrid The striker changed allegiances in 2024 and has already found himself amassing an impressive number of goals for the Atlas Lions.
Diaz's utility at club level has diminished since his return to the Santiago Bernabeu, with the attacking midfielder used as a bit player by Carlo Ancelotti over recent years. Regardless, he has often shown his abilities while coaching stars in the Spanish capital.
Brian Mbeumu has quietly been one of them Premier LeagueThe most influential and consistent strikers over the past few years. The Cameroon international has a strong left foot, but he has the dexterity required of world-class players.
Thomas often used Frank Mbeumo alongside Ivan Toney, but the winger has thrived in his former teammate's absence, developing an impressive relationship with fellow African star Yoan Wissa.
Victor Boniface has been an integral part of Bayer Leverkusen's success German League Victory in 2023/24. The Nigerian scored entertaining goals early in the season for Die Werkself, even if injuries limited his effectiveness further up the pitch.
The imposing centre-forward has proven to be a very smart signing from Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium and is already fulfilling his immense potential. Boniface is a defender's nightmare when fit and shooting.
Bayer Leverkusen's African talent is not limited to Boniface, with Burkina Faso international Edmund Tapsouba leading the team's defense at the other end of the pitch. Having been part of the centre-back trio under Xabi Alonso, Tapsoba also played a crucial role in Leverkusen's first Bundesliga win.
Tapsoba's athleticism and aggressiveness in a challenge make him a difficult man to pass, with many of Europe's traditional giants closely monitoring his progress in Germany.
West Ham United Some of Europe's greatest teams battled to secure Mohamed Kuddous's signature in 2023, with the former Ajax striker turning heads domestically and in Europe for the Amsterdam club.
Kudus quickly became a favorite with West Ham fans with his combination of flair, energy and clean shooting, scoring 14 goals in his first season in London. There is still more for the excellent Ghanaian to offer, whether with the Hammers or elsewhere.
Andre Onana's first season in Manchester United It was very difficult. However, even at the end of his first season, the Cameroon international was beginning to show evidence of the £47.2m goalkeeper the Red Devils have discovered at Inter.
The 2024/25 season has seen Onana grow in confidence and he is Africa's strongest ever goalkeeper having already made some impressive saves (and double saves) for United this season.
The much-criticised Nicholas Jackson has transformed his reputation in 2024/25. After becoming synonymous with blunders in his first campaign in ChelseaThe Senegalese striker has clearly worked hard to fix his profligacy over the summer and has come back a different player.
Jackson still boasts the athleticism, speed and work ethic that made him a formidable threat in 2023/24, but he has added a relentless finishing touch as an elite-level scorer. £32m now looks like an absolute steal for the Blues.
Serho Geraci's first spell in German football was nothing special. He scored nine goals in 45 matches for Cologne before returning to France. However, Stuttgart took the opportunity to sign the Guinea international in the 2023/24 season and it has proven to be a transformative addition.
Geraci scored 30 goals in 30 games, as Stuttgart finished runners-up in the Bundesliga and qualified for the Champions League, making the attacking centre-forward move to the top level. Borussia Dortmund. He has already found easy targets at Signal Iduna Park.
Ademola Lookman was the only African player nominated for the 2024 World Cup Golden Ball. That's in large part down to his heroics in the 2023/24 Europa League final, where he scored a brilliant hat-trick for Atalanta against previously unbeaten Leverkusen.
The respectable 14th place finish highlights the steps Lookman has taken since several unsuccessful spells with various English clubs, with the Wandsworth-born winger and Nigerian international finding a loving home in Bergamo.
Achraf Hakimi is not only the most talented defender in Africa, he is one of them The best right-back in world football. The Moroccan, who was eye-catching in his country's run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, impressed at Dortmund before moving to Inter in 2020.
After one year, seven goals and the Italian League title, Hakimi moved to Roma Paris Saint-Germainwhere he grew a reputation as an exceptional, attack-minded full-back. Few can dash up and down the wings with the same quality and intensity as Hakimi.
Victor Osimhen, the 2023 African Player of the Year, has earned his reputation as one of the… The most impressive strikers in the world During his time with Napoli. However, a somewhat public row has resulted in him being moved on loan to Galatasaray for the 2024/25 season.
Naturally, the Nigeria international got off to a flying start scoring goals in Istanbul, sparking interest from the European giants once again. If he gets his next move right, Osimhen could rival Erling Haaland for the next decade.
There can be no debate about Africa's greatest talent: Mohamed Salah.
Regarded as one of the most consistent and lethal strikers in football over the past eight years, the multiple-time African Footballer of the Year winner has set the standard in… Liverpool It shows little sign of slowing down in the near future.
Boasting fantastic physique, charging speed and a stunning left foot, Salah could be the best African player ever after a sensational spell on Merseyside.
