20 Greatest African Players in Football History (Ranked)

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Africa has played a significant role in the history of world football. Nations within the continent have produced countless iconic moments in the World Cup. Many will remember Senegal's run to the quarter-finals of the 2002 edition in South Korea and Japan, which included a famous win over France.

Who could forget Asamoah Gyan? The former forward was known for being better for his country than his respective clubs back in the day and was instrumental in Ghana's fairytale run in South Africa in 2010. Therefore, given how many memorable moments these nations have produced over the years, it goes without saying that the continent has produced many exceptionally talented players.

From George Weah to Jay-Jay Okocha, not forgetting Nwankwo Kanu, so many players from Africa have gone on to thrive at club level across the world, with plenty achieving several accolades during their respective careers - but who are the 20 best African players of all time?

Ranking Factors

Importance to the team - This can be classed as goals, assists, clean sheets or other contributions to the team.

Goals - Goals win games. Truly elite attacking players must regularly find the back of the net.

Club and international trophies - Players who've played a crucial role in their team winning trophies have been ranked higher on this list. Professional football is all about winning trophies, after all.

Individual Awards - Some players stay at clubs that don't compete for major trophies every year, so using individual awards to rank the best players is also important. The Ballon d'Or the sport's most prestigious individual award.

20 Greatest African Players of All-Time

Rank

Name

Notable club (s)

Nationality

1.

Mohamed Salah

Chelsea, Liverpool

Egyptian

2.

George Weah

Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Chelsea

Liberian

3.

Samuel Eto'o

Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea

Cameroonian

4.

Didier Drogba

Chelsea

Ivorian

5.

Yaya Toure

Barcelona, Manchester City

Ivorian

6.

Abedi Pele

Marseille, Lyon

Ghanian

7.

Sadio Mane

Southampton, Liverpool

Senegalese

8.

Michael Essien

Chelsea, Real Madrid

Ghanian

9.

Riyad Mahrez

Leicester City, Manchester City

Algerian

10.

Jay-Jay Okocha

PSG, Bolton

Nigerian

11.

Nwankwo Kanu

Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal

Nigerian

12.

Roger Milla

Monaco, Montpellier

Cameroonian

13.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona

Gabonese

14.

Kolo Toure

Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Celtic

Ivorian

15.

Emmanuel Adebayor

Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham

Togolese

16.

Rabah Madjer

Porto, Valencia

Algerian

17.

Samuel Kuffour

Bayern Munich, Roma

Ghanaian

18.

Bruce Grobbelaar

Liverpool, Southampton

Zimbabwean

19.

Geremi

Real Madrid, Chelsea, Newcastle United

Cameroonian

20.

Lauren

Arsenal, Portsmouth

Cameroonian

20

Lauren

Notable clubs: Arsenal, Portsmouth

Arsenal full-back Lauren kissing his hand in celebration of a goal

Of all vital the members of Arsenal's Invincibles team, Lauren was perhaps the most underrated. He played 32 times for the Gunners during that unforgettable season, and he would feature for the north London outfit 241 times over a seven-year period (in which he won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.)

What's more, he would also achieve big things with his country. Notably, 2000 was a special year for Cameroon as they would win Olympic Gold and the African Cup of Nations, with Lauren being named as the player of the tournament for the latter. He would then help his nation achieve glory once more at AFCON in 2002.