Top 10 Richest Footballers In Africa
The top 10 wealthiest footballers in Africa reflect the significant impact of the sport on the continent, which was initially introduced by Europeans in the 1860s during the colonization era. South Africa witnessed the first recorded football games in 1862, played informally between soldiers and civil servants, lacking established rules at the time.
Despite the sport's tremendous growth with thousands of teams and governing bodies across Africa, it faces challenges such as human trafficking, organizational issues within national teams, and conflicts between players and federation officials. In the 1990s, African football underwent transformative changes, particularly with the migration of players to Europe, marking a pivotal moment.
This migration allowed numerous talented players to pursue successful careers in Europe, reaching the pinnacle of the sport and becoming some of the highest earners globally. Notable among them is Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian star of Liverpool, earning an impressive £400,000 per week, placing him among the top earners globally. Another noteworthy player is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Gabon, earning up to £350,000 weekly. These footballers amass their wealth through various channels, including lucrative sponsorship and endorsement deals. The compilation below presents a detailed list of the wealthiest footballers in Africa.
Top 10 Richest Footballers in Africa 2024
- Samuel Eto’o – $95 Million
- Didier Drogba – $90 Million
- Mohamed Salah – $90 Million
- Yaya Toure – $80 Million
- Mikel Obi – $60 Million
- Pierre Emrick Aubameyang – $50 Million
- Emmanuel Adebayor – $45 Million
- Kolo Touré – $40 Million
- Michael Essien – $35 Million
- Sadio Mané – $30 Million
1. Samuel Eto’o – $95 Million
Samuel Eto'o, boasting an estimated net worth of $95 million, claims the title of Africa's wealthiest footballer. At one point, he held the distinction of being the highest-paid player globally during his tenure with the Russian club FC Anzhi Makhachkala, earning an impressive $25 million annually.
The Cameroonian football legend commenced his professional journey with Real Madrid at the age of 16, later moving to Mallorca in 2000, where he notched up an impressive 70 goals. His outstanding performance led him to Barcelona in 2004, where he scored 130 goals in five seasons, setting a record for the most La Liga appearances by an African player.
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Widely regarded as one of Africa's greatest players in history, Eto'o played a pivotal role in Barcelona's attacking lineup alongside Ronaldinho, contributing to their victory in the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final. He was also part of the team that secured the 2009 UEFA Champions League title.
Eto'o's illustrious career has earned him numerous accolades, including the Pichichi Trophy (2006), African Player of the Year (2010, 2006, 2005), CAF Youth Player of the Year (2001), CAF Africa’s finest XI (2009, 2007, 2006), and the CAF Award for Best Ten Players of the Last 50 Years (2008).
2. Didier Drogba – $90 Million
Didier Drogba, the revered Chelsea legend, secures the second position among Africa's wealthiest footballers in 2023 with an estimated net worth of $90 million. Drogba carved his name in football history as one of the highest-paid players, earning a noteworthy $105,000 per week during his time at Chelsea and $325,000 at Shanghai Shenhua.
The Ivorian footballer embarked on his professional journey at the age of 18 with Ligue 2 club Le Mans, signing his first professional contract at 21. However, Drogba's legacy is most prominently associated with Chelsea, where he made a significant move in 2004 for a club-record fee of £24 million, becoming the most expensive Ivorian player at the time.
Drogba's impact at Chelsea was immediate, contributing to the club's first league title in 50 years in his debut season and securing another Premier League title a year later. His prolific goal-scoring ability places him as the club's fourth-highest goal scorer of all time. In 2012, he achieved the milestone of becoming the first African player to score 100 Premier League goals, concurrently helping Chelsea win the UEFA Champions League Final.
Recognized for his outstanding contributions, Drogba was named African Footballer of the Year in 2006 and 2009. His illustrious career reached a pinnacle in 2023 when he was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame on April 21.
3. Mohamed Salah – $90 Million
Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian star of Liverpool, solidifies his place among Africa's wealthiest footballers in 2023 with an estimated net worth of $90 million. At 29, Salah stands as one of the highest-paid footballers globally, commanding an impressive £400,000 per week.
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Beginning his professional journey in 2010 with Al Mokawloon, Salah transitioned to Basel in 2012, clinching two Swiss Super League titles. His stint at Chelsea commenced in 2014 for a reported fee of £11 million, but limited playing time prompted successive loans to Fiorentina and Roma, with the latter signing him permanently for €15 million.
In 2017, Liverpool secured Salah's services for £36.9 million, marking him as the most expensive Egyptian player to date. Since then, he has been instrumental in Liverpool's triumphs, including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, League Cup, and three Premier League Golden Boot awards.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest African players ever, Salah claimed the 3rd spot in the Best FIFA Men’s Player rankings in 2018 and 2021. Additionally, he received the 2018 FIFA Puskás Award for his outstanding goal against Everton during the 2017–18 Premier League season, further cementing his status as a football icon.
4. Yaya Toure – $80 Million
Yaya Touré, an Ivorian legend, secures his place among Africa's wealthiest footballers in 2023 with an estimated net worth of $80 million. Touré's football journey commenced at the Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas, where he made his debut at the age of 18. His standout performances garnered attention from European clubs, leading to stints with Beveren, Metalurh Donetsk, Olympiacos, and Monaco before his pivotal move to Barcelona in 2007.
During his time at Barcelona, Touré played a crucial role in the historic 2009 squad that clinched six trophies in a calendar year. In 2010, he made a significant move to Premier League club Manchester City, contributing key goals, including the decisive ones in the 2011 FA Cup semi-final and final. Notably, he played a pivotal role in City securing their first league title in 44 years.
As a formidable box-to-box midfielder, Touré is recognized globally as one of the best players in his position and stands among the greatest African players of all time. His accolades include winning the African Footballer of the Year title in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Additionally, in December 2015, Touré secured the BBC African Footballer of the Year for the second time through public vote, a recognition earned after leading the Ivory Coast to victory in the 2015 African Cup of Nations.
5. Mikel Obi – $60 Million
Mikel Obi, the accomplished Nigerian footballer, secures a spot among Africa's wealthiest players in 2023 with an estimated net worth of $60 million. With an impressive 18-year international senior career spanning various top clubs and three years in youth leagues, Mikel has solidified his status as one of Nigeria's most successful players.
His journey began with local club Plateau United, followed by a move to the Norwegian club Lyn at the age of 17 in 2004. In 2006, Mikel made headlines with a controversial transfer to English club Chelsea, opting for the Blues despite claims by Manchester United that they had already signed him. He remained a key figure at Chelsea for 11 years before venturing to China with Tianjin TEDA in 2017.
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After a two-year stint in China, Mikel returned to England, briefly joining Middlesbrough on a short-term deal before securing a free transfer to Trabzonspor in July 2019. The seasoned 35-year-old made his way back to England in August 2020, joining Stoke City. Mikel boasts an impressive collection of honors and awards, including triumphs in the Premier League, Champions League, and the African Cup of Nations.
6. Pierre Emrick Aubameyang – $50 Million
Gabonese football star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang claims the sixth position among Africa's wealthiest footballers in 2023, boasting an estimated net worth of $50 million. The 32-year-old standout player was once the highest-paid on the continent, commanding an impressive £350,000 per week.
Aubameyang's career kicked off at Italian club AC Milan, although he never made an appearance for the club, opting for a series of loan spells in France. His breakthrough came with Saint-Étienne in 2011, securing a Coupe de la Ligue title before making a notable move to Borussia Dortmund in 2013.
During his time with Borussia Dortmund, Aubameyang emerged as the league's top goalscorer in the 2016–17 season and clinched a DFB-Pokal. His goal-scoring prowess places him as the club's seventh-highest all-time goalscorer. In 2018, he made a high-profile transfer to Arsenal in a deal worth £56 million.
Aubameyang's stint with Arsenal resulted in winning an FA Cup and finishing as the league's joint-top goalscorer in the 2018–19 season. In 2023, he embarked on a new chapter by joining Barcelona after his contract was mutually canceled.
7. Emmanuel Adebayor – $45 Million
Emmanuel Adebayor, the accomplished Togolese professional footballer, stands among Africa's wealthiest players in 2023, boasting an estimated net worth of $40 million. During his prime, the Nigerian-originated player ranked among the highest-paid, earning a substantial $16.7 million annually.
Adebayor's football journey began with Sporting Club de Lomé before scouts from Metz identified his talent and brought him to France in 1999. He made his professional debut in 2001 and subsequently moved to Monaco in 2003. In January 2006, Premier League powerhouse Arsenal secured Adebayor's services for £3 million.
Throughout his illustrious career, Adebayor has played for various top-tier teams, including Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, Real Madrid, ?stanbul Ba?ak?ehir, Kayserispor, and Club Olimpia. Notably, he was honored as the African Footballer of the Year in 2008 during his tenure at Arsenal.
8. Kolo Touré – $40 Million
Kolo Toure, an Ivorian legend, solidified his place among Africa's wealthiest footballers in 2023 with an estimated net worth of $40 million. Renowned as a Premier League icon, Toure holds the record for the African player with the highest number of Premier League appearances to date.
His football journey commenced at ASEC Mimosas, followed by a pivotal move to Arsenal in 2002. During his tenure with Arsenal, Toure made 326 appearances, contributing significantly to the iconic 03–04 'invincibles' side. In 2009, he transitioned to Manchester City, playing a crucial role in the club's historic first league title win in 44 years.
Toure's career extended to several other renowned teams, including Liverpool and Celtic, where he added more accolades to his name, including the Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup. His distinguished career is adorned with honors such as the Premier League, FA Community Shield, and the FA Cup.
9. Michael Essien – $35 Million
Michael Essien, the accomplished Ghanaian professional footballer, secures a position among Africa's wealthiest players in 2023 with an estimated net worth of $35 million. Widely recognized as one of the best midfielders in the world during his prime, Essien left an indelible mark on the football landscape.
Essien's journey commenced with Liberty Professionals in Ghana before making a move to France in 2000 to join Bastia, where he spent three seasons. In 2003, he joined Lyon, contributing to back-to-back league titles in 2003–04 and 2004–05, earning the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award in 2005.
The pivotal point in Essien's career came in 2005 when Premier League club Chelsea secured his services for a then-record £24.4 million transfer fee, making him the most expensive African footballer at the time. At Chelsea, Essien played a crucial role in winning the Premier League in 2006 and 2010, along with three FA Cups and one League Cup. His contributions were instrumental in Chelsea's UEFA Champions League triumph in the 2011–12 season.
10. Sadio Mané – $30 Million
Sadio Mane, the esteemed Senegalese football star, wraps up the list of the richest footballers in Africa in 2023 with an estimated net worth of $30 million. Currently one of the highest-paid African players in the Premier League, Mane commands an impressive weekly salary of £100,000.
Mane initiated his professional career with Ligue 2 club Metz at the age of 19, subsequently joining Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in 2012, where he secured a league and cup domestic double in the 2013–14 season. His notable achievements led to a transfer to Southampton for a club-record fee of £11.8 million, where he set a new Premier League record for the fastest hat-trick in 176 seconds during a 6–1 victory over Aston Villa in 2015.
In 2016, Mane made a pivotal move to Liverpool for a reported fee of £34 million, contributing significantly to the team's triumph in the UEFA Champions League Finals in 2019. Additionally, he finished as the league's joint-top goalscorer in the 2018–19 season, securing the Premier League Golden Boot. In October 2021, Mane reached a milestone by scoring his 100th Premier League goal, becoming the third African player to achieve this landmark.
In conclusion, the top 10 richest footballers in Africa showcase a diverse array of talent and success. From legends like Samuel Eto'o and Didier Drogba to contemporary stars like Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, these players have not only left an indelible mark on the pitch but have also amassed significant wealth. Their journeys reflect the global appeal of African footballers, as they navigated various leagues, achieved remarkable milestones, and earned lucrative deals. Beyond financial success, these athletes have become iconic figures, contributing to the rich tapestry of African football history and leaving a lasting legacy for aspiring players on the continent.
