Top African Players Making Waves in European Football Leagues

A major pointer to the rise of African football is the ease with which players from the continent dominate top leagues in Europe, win individual accolades in them, and influence the global game with their unique style. From rock-solid defenses, dazzling dribbles, creative midfield maestros to record-breaking goals, diaspora Africans have continued to shine brightly in the top European football leagues, cementing their legacies as some of the continent’s finest exports to world football.

Be it the Premier League, Serie A, or La Liga, the stellar performances of these stars are impossible to ignore. They steadily deliver breathtaking performances with defined moments of brilliance that inspire millions of football lovers.

They have now gone ahead to inspire a new generation of African talent through their remarkable stories and achievements. Sportblot has selected the following African exports not just on the basis of statistic successes but on the basis of their current season performance, individual contributions to their teams, top-tier salaries, consistency, and overall impact. 

1. Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – Premier League (England)

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This Egyptian king has been a consistent force for Liverpool since when he joined the club in 2017. His contributions have been instrumental in Liverpool’s recent successes, including their 2018-19 UEFA Champions League title and the 2019-20 Premier League title. At Liverpool, Salah is on a weekly wage of €424,621.

Currently in serious contention for the Premier League 2025 Golden Boot, Salah’s composure under pressure, and his consistency in performing in high-stakes matches have made him a crucial player for both club and country. His influence on the field extends beyond just scoring goals into creating chances for his teammates.   

With an incredible tally of 21 goals and 17 assists in 29 games, the winger’s incredible pace, technical ability, and clinical finishing have made him one of the world’s top scorers. Salah continues to serve as a symbol of hope and pride for Egyptian football and African players globally.

2. Ademola Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) - Europa League

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He was the only African player nominated for the Ballon d'Or in 2024. This was largely due to his heroics in the 2023/24 Europa League final, netting a sensational hat-trick for Atalanta against the previously undefeated Leverkusen. Lookman earns £41,000 per week and £2,132,000 per year by playing for Atalanta Bergamasca.

The forward’s blend of direct style of play, pace, precision, creativity and flair makes him a nightmare for defenders. Lookman who guided the Super Eagles to the Africa Cup of Nations final, has truly acquitted himself of deserving the African Footballer of the Year award.

After failing to impose himself following a big-money move to the Premier League as a teenager, Lookman had several loan spells before his rebirth in Italy since joining Atalanta in August 2022.  In his current loving home of Bergamo, this shining light has contributed 12 goals and providing six assists in 24 games. 

3. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) – Ligue 1 (France)

Born to Moroccan parents in Spain, Achraf Hakimi developed in the Real Madrid youth academy before playing for Castilla. The Moroccan right-back has since solidified his reputation as one of the best in the world, pulling off remarkable feats in both Italy and France. 

After standout seasons with Inter Milan, where he helped the club win Serie A in 2021, Hakimi moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in Ligue 1, where he has continued to impress with his speed, attacking contributions, and defensive solidity. His attacking runs and defensive discipline have been instrumental to the success of PSG.

With three goals and seven assists in 23 games, Hakimi’s attacking contributions from defense are remarkable. His versatility and consistency make him a vital player for both PSG and Morocco.

Hakimi’s attacking instincts are second to none. His performances for Morocco at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where the team reached the semi-finals, further solidified his status as one of the top African players in European football.

4. Sadio Mané (Senegal) – Bundesliga (Germany)

Sadio Mané, like his former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah, has been a dominant force in European football for years. The Senegalese player started his career playing for the Metz in 2011 and then went on to play for Red Bull Salzburg and Southampton where he scored 45 goals and 25 goals respectively.

In 2016, he joined Liverpool where he had his most successful. The winger has scored 107 goals for the reds so far and won four trophies. Following an outstanding stint in the Premier League with Liverpool, the Senegalese forward made a high-profile move to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022. At Bayern, the seasoned winger continued to prove himself as one of Europe’s top attackers with his lightning speed, technical prowess, and work ethic.

Mané’s standout qualities include his versatility across the forward line, his ability to score goals from a variety of positions, and his intelligent off-the-ball movement. With Senegal, Mané also played a crucial role in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations victory, cementing his status as one of Africa’s premier footballers. Mane also made it to the top 5 in the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2019.

5. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) – Premier League (England)

Riyad Mahrez is currently one of the most important players in Manchester city’s squad. His dazzling footwork, incredible dribbling ability, and flair on the ball were integral to Leicester’s unforgettable 2015-16 Premier League title victory. 

Mahrez contributed immensely to that victory by scoring 18 goals acting as a key player. He scored a total of 48 goals while with Leicester City. He then signed for Liverpool in 2018 and has won seven trophies with them since including two League titles. The Algerian also won the Africa cup of nations in 2019 with his national team.

Mahrez’s ability to deliver clutch performances in important matches, including his spectacular displays in the Champions League. The playmaker’s consistency over the years has made him one of the best African players in European football.

6. André Onana (Cameroon) – Premier League 

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As a goalkeeper, André Onana has proven to be the backbone of Manchester United’s defense after an extremely tough first season. However, towards the end of his debut campaign, the Cameroonian international began to show promise of the £47.2 million goalkeeper the Red Devils had coveted at Inter Milan.

In the 2024/25 season, Onana has gained confidence and is by far Africa's strongest stopper, having made several notable saves (and double saves) for United during the current campaign. Onana represents a new breed of goalkeepers who can do more than just shot-stopping, making him one of Africa’s finest exports. He earns a weekly wage of €145,584 at Manchester United.

7. Serhou Guirassy (Guinea) – Bundesliga

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Serhou Guirassy is currently one of the Bundesliga’s top scorers although his first spell in German football was nothing out of the ordinary. He scored nine goals in 45 matches with FC Köln before returning to France. However, Stuttgart took a risk on the Guinean international in 2023/24, and it turned out to be a transformative addition.

Guirassy scored 30 goals in 30 matches, and Stuttgart finished as runners-up in the Bundesliga and secured Champions League qualification, which earned the standout striker a high-profile move to Borussia Dortmund. He’s already found goals easy to come by at Signal Iduna Park.

Guirassy has been pivotal for Borussia Dortmund’s title ambitions. His physicality, clinical finishing, and ability to rise in critical moments have made him one of the year’s standout performers. The rise of Guirassy, who currently earns €181,346 per week, is a testament to the growing depth of African talent in Europe.

8. Nicolas Jackson (Senegal) – Premier League 

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Jackson is steadily proving his worth in Chelsea’s high-pressure environment, justifying his €121,320 weekly wage. Jackson has quickly become a promising talent for Chelsea, showcasing skill and maturity beyond his age. His performances make him one of the top-earning young African players.

Rising from disappointing misses during his debut season at Chelsea, the Senegalese forward clearly worked hard to rectify his wastefulness over the 2024/25 season returning as a different player. With 9 goals and 4 assists in 21 games, Jackson has since been showing glimpses of his immense potential.

He still possesses the physique, pace, and high work ethic that made him a massive threat in 2023/24, £32 million now looks like an absolute steal for the Blues. The player’s ability to link up play and find the back of the net is a big positive for Chelsea, who are rebuilding under Mauricio Pochettino.

9. Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast) – Premier League (England)

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Wilfried Zaha has been a constant threat in the Premier League for several years, known for his dribbling ability, flair, and skill on the ball. His move to Lyon reignited his career, allowing him to showcase his unique flair and creativity. The Ivorian forward has long been known for his exceptional dribbling skills and ability to unlock defenses.

Zaha’s career in England has primarily been spent at Crystal Palace, where he has been the team’s talisman and a consistent source of goals and assists. His ability to take on defenders with ease, his quick feet, and his dangerous crossing make him one of the Premier League’s most exciting wingers.

The forward’s performances for Crystal Palace, however, have earned him a reputation as one of the most consistent African performers in the Premier League. As the Elephants prepare for AFCON and other international challenges, Zaha’s experience and leadership will be vital for Ivory Coast. His ability to step up in critical moments makes him a key player for his country.

10. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – Serie A (Italy)

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Victor Osimhen, the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, has an impressive career tally of 126 goals in 238 matches across four clubs namely: VfL Wolfsburg, Charleroi, Lille, and Napoli.

The Nigerian forward has made a major impact in Serie A with Napoli, where he has become one of the league’s top scorers and a key player for the club. After a successful spell with Napoli, the Nigerian striker has carried his goal-scoring prowess to Galatasaray when he is currently on loan.

Osimhen’s weekly wage stands at €125,000, amounting to a yearly net salary of over €6 million. His pace, strength, and finishing ability have seen him become one of the most sought-after strikers in European football. In addition to his goal-scoring exploits, the striker’s physicality and work rate have earned him comparisons to some of the top strikers in Europe.