Africa’s Top 15 Highest Paid Footballers

In the dynamic realm of football, Africa has emerged as a powerhouse, producing some of the world’s most skilled and electrifying players. Beyond their prowess on the pitch, these athletes have also carved a niche for themselves in the financial stratosphere, commanding substantial salaries that reflect their exceptional talents. In this exploration of Africa’s footballing elite, we delve into the careers and earnings of the continent’s top 15 highest-paid footballers.

1. Riyad Mahrez – £865,000 per week

Currently playing as a winger for Manchester City in the Premier League and the Algerian national team. He’s renowned for his dribbling skills, passing accuracy, and powerful shot.

 

2. Sadio Mane – £650,000 per week

He currently plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League and the Senegal national team. He’s known for his exceptional speed, dribbling ability, and impressive goal-scoring prowess.

 

3. Kalidou Koulibaly  – £576,000 per week

Koulibaly is a professional footballer currently playing for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. He holds both Senegalese and French citizenship and plays internationally for the Senegalese national team.

 

4. Mohamed Salah – £350,000 per week

A renowned Egyptian professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Liverpool FC in the Premier League and the Egyptian national team. He’s noted for his exceptional dribbling skills, speed, and finishing ability, making him a fan favorite and a formidable force on the pitch.

 

5. Seko Fofana – £250,000 per week

A professional footballer born in Paris, France. He currently plays as a midfielder for the Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr FC and the Ivory Coast national team.

 

6. Franck Kessie  – £232,000 per week

An Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a central or defensive midfielder for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli and the Ivory Coast national team. He is a strong tackler, a good passer, and a threat in the air.

 

7. Edouard Mendy – £227,000 per week

A Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. Holds both French and Senegalese nationalities. Mendy left Chelsea to play for Al-Ahli Saudi FC in the Saudi Pro League. Edouard Mendy was named the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper in 2020 and 2021.

 

8. Thomas Partey – £200,000 per week

A Ghanaian professional, talented and experienced footballer who has excelled both at club and international level. He’s currently a key player for Arsenal and a vital member of the Ghanaian national team.

 

9. Sebastian Haller – £181,000 per week

is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the Ivory Coast national team. Haller represented France at youth level, has previously played for Ajax and West Ham United and is known for his powerful presence, aerial ability, and finishing skills. He has overcome a challenging battle with testicular cancer in 2022 and has returned to football stronger than ever.

 

10. Achraf Hakimi – £176,000 per week

Moroccan professional footballer widely considered one of the best defenders in the world. He won the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2017-2018. He has previously played for Borussia Dortmund & Inter Milan. He represents Morocco at the international level where he helped them reach the 2022 FIFA World Cup, their first in 36 years.

 

11. Victor Osimhen – £167,000

Nigerian professional footballer widely considered one of the best strikers in recent times. He currently leads the attack for the Serie A club Napoli and the Nigerian national team. Recently awarded the Best Male Player of the Year in Africa at the 2023 CAF Awards, the first Nigerian since Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.

 

12. Yassine Bounou – £166,000 per week

Also known as Bono, Yassine is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for both the Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal and the Morocco national team. He has made over 150 La Liga appearances for Girona and Sevilla football clubs.

 

13. Abdoulaye Doucouré – £120,000 per week

A professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Everton and the Mali national team. Abdoulaye was signed by Watford for a fee of £5 million and made over 150 appearances scoring 11 goals. He was also signed by Everton for a fee of £20 million and has represented Mali since 2015.

 

14. Alex Iwobi – £120,000 per week

Alex Iwobi is a talented Nigerian professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Premier League club Fulham and the Nigeria national team. He played for Arsenal, making 149 appearances and scoring 15 goals, transferred to Everton in August 2019 for an initial £28 million fee. Alex previously represented England up to under-18 level.

 

15. Andre Onana – £115,000 per week

André Onana is a talented Cameroonian footballer who currently plays as the goalkeeper for Manchester United in the Premier League and the Cameroon national team. Onana Trained at the Samuel Eto’o Academy and Barcelona’s La Masia youth system. He joined Ajax in 2015 and moved to Inter Milan in 2022, winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana in his first season.

 

As we conclude our exploration of Africa’s top-earning footballers, these players not only dazzle on the field but also redefine success off it. Their journeys inspire dreams and contribute to Africa’s ever-growing influence in global football. Stay tuned for more insights into the remarkable careers and financial prowess of athletes shaping the continent’s sporting legacy. The world has only begun to witness the rise of African football, and there’s much more to come. Watch this space for similar articles celebrating the indomitable spirit of Africa’s footballing elite.