African footballers are taking over the game not just with their skills, but also with their impressive earnings. With lucrative transfers, and huge salary packages, some African players have amassed incredible wealth. This guide, based on current market data, provides a list of the top 10 highest-paid African footballers of 2024.
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Who Are The Top Richest African Soccer Players?
Rank | Player | Country | Weekly Salary | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Riyad Mahrez | Algeria | £858,944 | Al-Ahli |
2 | Sadio Mane | Senegal | £658,194 | Al-Nassr |
3 | Kalidou Koulibaly | Senegal | £570,984 | Al-Hilal |
4 | Mohamed Salah | Egypt | £350,000 | Liverpool |
5 | Seko Fofana | Ivory Coast | £250,114 | Al-Nassr |
6 | Achraf Hakimi | Morocco | £239,418 | PSG |
7 | Franck Kessie | Ivory Coast | £230,368 | Al-Ahli |
8 | Victor Osimhen | Nigeria | £211,000 | Napoli |
9 | Thomas Partey | Ghana | £200,000 | Arsenal |
10 | Inaki Williams | Ghana | £187,585 | Athletic Bilbao |
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1. Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez is a professional footballer from Algeria, playing as a right winger for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. Mahrez is currently the richest African footballer. Starting his career with French club AAS Sarcelles, Mahrez turned professional in 2009 with Quimper.
He later joined Le Havre, where he gained prominence before moving to England to join Leicester City in January 2014. With Leicester, Mahrez was an integral part of their historic Premier League win during the 2015-16 season.
In 2018, Mahrez signed for Manchester City, and he continued to impress, winning numerous titles including the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, and UEFA Champions League.
Internationally, Mahrez represents Algeria and has participated in several FIFA World Cups and Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, winning the latter in 2019. He has won the African Footballer of the Year and has been recognized for his exceptional skills on the field.
2. Sadio Mane
Sadio Mané plays as a forward or winger for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League and he’s currently one of the highest African soccer players. Mané is loved for his energy, quick movements, dribbling abilities, and relentless pressing on the field.
Many consider him one of the finest players of his era and among Africa’s greatest footballers ever. Mané’s career took off when he joined Metz, a French Ligue 2 club, at just 19 years old.
He later moved to Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, where he achieved domestic success with a league and cup double. His impressive performances caught the attention of English club Southampton, who secured his services for a record fee at the time.
In 2016, Mané made a significant move to Liverpool, becoming the most expensive African player in history. He formed a formidable attacking trio with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, leading Liverpool to UEFA Champions League glory in 2019.
Mané also played a huge role, ending Liverpool’s 30-year wait for a Premier League title in 2020. On the international stage, Mané has represented Senegal, scoring goals and breaking records.
He is Senegal’s all-time leading goal scorer and has represented his nation in multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the FIFA World Cup.
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3. Kalidou Koulibaly
Koulibaly signed his first professional contract with Metz in 2010 and became a regular player. In 2012, Koulibaly joined Genk in Belgium, establishing himself as a key player in the team’s defense.
His performances caught the attention of Napoli, and in 2014, he moved to the Serie A club. During his time at Napoli, Koulibaly is known for his solid defense and leadership on the field.
He played an important role in Napoli’s successes, including winning the Supercoppa Italiana in 2014 and finishing as runners-up in Serie A multiple times.
In 2022, Koulibaly moved to Chelsea in the Premier League, where he immediately scored his debut goal for the team. Later, in 2023, Koulibaly moved to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Professional League, continuing his successful career in club football.
Internationally, Koulibaly represents Senegal, having switched from the French national team in 2015. He has participated in major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations, including winning the 2021 Cup of Nations.
4. Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has been exceptional, and known for his incredible skills, especially his scoring ability, dribbling, and pace. Having started his professional career in 2010, Salah played for different clubs before joining Liverpool in 2017 for a record transfer fee.
During his time at Liverpool, Salah has been instrumental in their success, helping the team win prestigious titles like the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
He’s also won several individual awards for his outstanding performances on the field. On the international level, Salah has been a key player for the Egyptian national team.
He’s been recognized for his achievements, winning the CAF African Footballer of the Year award and being named in the Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament.
5. Seko Fofana
Seko Fofana is one of African highest paid players, starting his playing soccer in Paris, France. He moved to Lorient and then to Manchester City in England.
Fofana worked hard at Manchester City, playing in the youth teams and impressing everyone. He faced some tough times when he was racially abused during a game. Fofana went on loan to Fulham and Bastia to get more experience.
He did great there, scoring goals and showing his skills. Then he joined Udinese in Italy, where he played in Serie A. After that, he moved to Lens in France and became one of the best players in the league.
In 2023, Fofana got a big opportunity to join Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He signed a three-year deal, making him one of the richest African players.
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6. Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi, one of the best full-backs of his generation, started with Real Madrid in 2016. He made his debut against Paris Saint-Germain and scored his first senior goal against Fuenlabrada.
In 2018, he joined Borussia Dortmund on loan, where he set a Bundesliga speed record and scored important goals. Moving to Inter Milan in 2020, he made an immediate impact with assists and goals.
In 2021, Paris Saint-Germain signed him, and he helped them win the Ligue 1 title. Internationally, Hakimi has represented Morocco in tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.
7. Franck Kessie
Franck Yannick is one of Africa’s top talents. His career took a significant turn when he signed with Serie A club Atalanta in January 2015. After starting with the Primavera squad, Kessié quickly made his mark.
A loan spell at Cesena in Serie B also ground his abilities, with notable performances earning him recognition. Returning to Atalanta, Kessié’s star continued to rise under the guidance of manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
His impactful debut in Serie A, including memorable goals and consistent performances, caught the attention of top clubs. In 2017, Kessié moved to AC Milan, initially on loan before securing a permanent transfer.
His time at Milan was seen by impressive displays, contributing significantly to the team’s successes in Serie A and beyond. In 2022, Kessié joined Barcelona, scoring a memorable goal against Real Madrid in El Clasico. Most recently, Kessié made headlines with his transfer to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli in 2023.
8. Victor Osimhen
At 185 cm tall, Osimhen is a formidable presence on the field, using his physicality to his advantage. Osimhen’s style of play is characterized by his explosive pace, strong aerial ability, and clinical finishing.
He is a right-footed center-forward who is brilliant at making runs into space and creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. With his speed and agility, Osimhen is a constant threat to opposition defenses.
He is not only a prolific goal scorer but also contributes to the build-up of attacking moves with his ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play.
Osimhen has received praise from fellow players and managers, with some comparing him to top young strikers like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
His manager, Luciano Spalletti, describes him as “the complete package” and “such a great striker.” Others, including former players like Francesco Totti and Romelu Lukaku, have hailed him as one of the best strikers in Serie A.
9. Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey is a Ghanaian footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Arsenal in the Premier League. Partey is one of the African players who command the highest pay.
Starting his career with Atlético Madrid in 2013, he gained experience on loan at Mallorca and Almería before returning to Atlético in 2015.
Partey’s achievements with Atlético include winning the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup in 2018. In 2020, he signed for Arsenal for £45 million, becoming Ghana’s most expensive player ever.
Internationally, Partey has represented Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup tournaments, scoring a hat-trick against Congo in the 2018 qualifiers. He also won the Ghana Player of the Year award in 2018 and 2019.
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10. Inaki Williams
Williams has played over 400 games for Athletic Bilbao, starting his career in the academy. He even set a La Liga record, playing in 251 consecutive matches. Notably, he scored the winning goal in the 2020–21 Supercopa de España.
Williams, born in Spain to Ghanaian parents, made his debut for the Spain national team in 2016. However, in 2022, he decided to play for Ghana at international level. He made his debut for Ghana in 2022 and was part of their squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations