while we’ve been focusing on European football, it’s time to take a moment to shine a spotlight on the rise of African footballers. Once a rare sight on the European stage, players of African descent are now making their mark on the big clubs in Europe, becoming key players in the core of the continent’s big clubs. Representing African football powerhouses such as Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt, and more, we’re taking a look at how they’ve made their mark on the world stage in the 21st century, and we’ve compiled a list of the top five best footballers from Africa

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1st place. mohamed Salah (Egypt)

egyptian striker Mohamed Salah still plays for Liverpool and continues to have one of the best careers of any African footballer in the 21st century. As of 2024, Salah has made 29 appearances in the league, scoring 27 goals and providing 17 assists, and leads the league in both goals and assists. His performances have made him a frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, and he is the only player to have topped the list in his career

runner-up. samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)

cameroon’s legendary striker Samuel Eto’o dominated the European stage with his pace and determination. He spent the best part of his career with FC Barcelona and Inter Milan, winning three UEFA Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, and one Serie A title. He is currently the president of the Cameroon Football Association and continues to contribute to the development of African football after retirement

3rd place. didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)

ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba is regarded as one of the most dangerous strikers in the history of the English Premier League, having spent his entire career with Chelsea. In nine seasons with the Blues, he won four league titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, and one Champions League. He has also made a huge social impact, most notably in 2006 when he helped stop a civil war in his country

4th place. sadio Mane (Senegal)

senegalese striker Sadio Mane formed a fantastic attacking duo with Mohamed Salah during his time at Liverpool, helping the Reds win the Premier League and Champions League. Although he now plays in a different league, he still plays an important role for his national team, and his performances have kept Senegal at the top of the FIFA rankings. His consistent performances have made him one of the best active players in African football

5th place. yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)

ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure spent his heyday at Manchester City, where he made a name for himself as a physical and technical dominator of the midfield. During his nine-year spell at the club, he lifted numerous trophies on the English stage and was a versatile player who could also play the role of playmaker, a rare feat for an African player. Since retiring, he has been working on football coaching courses and helping to develop the next generation of talent

conclusion

mohamed Salah, Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, Sadio Mane, and Yaya Toure round out the top five African footballers of the 21st century. These are the legends who have made African soccer a global phenomenon in their respective eras, and they’ve also excelled on the European stage. We look forward to seeing more African players make their mark on the bigger stage and become new legends in the future. For more football player rankings, market value analysis, and current legends, stay tuned to our ongoing soccer content.