Football (or soccer) is the most popular sport globally and African players are making a huge impact, especially in top European leagues and teams.
Their skills on the pitch have translated into multi-million dollar salaries and lucrative endorsement deals from major brands.
1. Samuel Eto’o – Net Worth $95 Million
Samuel Eto’o is a legendary Cameroonian footballer who has played for top teams like Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea, while also long serving as captain of the Cameroon national team.
In his playing career spanning over 20 years, Eto’o won a host of trophies including 4 African Player of the Year awards. Even after retiring from football in 2021, he remains active as president of the Cameroonian Football Federation.
His time with elite European clubs and sponsorship deals with brands like Puma and Ford helped Eto’o amass a huge personal fortune estimated at $95 million in 2022.
2. Didier Drogba – Net Worth $90 Million
Powerful striker Didier Drogba from Ivory Coast is best known for his trophy-laden time with Chelsea FC. He delivered defining performances helping Chelsea win 4 Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League crown among many others.
As an Ivorian international, Drogba captained his national side for 8 years including at two World Cups. Since retiring from football in 2018 aged 40, Drogba has transitioned into an ambassadorial role at Chelsea while also working on business ventures including a lucrative undergarments endorsement deal.
Currently Drogba’s net worth sits around $90 million, cementing his status as one of the richest African sportsmen ever.
3. Mohamed Salah – Net Worth $90 Million
Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah currently stars for English giants Liverpool FC where he has become a Premier League icon. Salah has won two Premier League Golden Boots along with Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup winners medals at Liverpool.
Internationally, Salah captains the Egyptian national team which he led to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021. Salah first rose to prominence during his time in Italy’s Serie A playing for clubs like Fiorentina and AS Roma.
In 2018, Salah signed a 5 year contract with Liverpool worth over $100 million. Combined with individual sponsorships from brands like Adidas and Vodafone, his net worth now sits at an incredible $90 million.
4. Yaya Toure – Net Worth $70 Million
Strong and skillful midfielder Yaya Toure from Ivory Coast played for many of Europe’s top teams including Barcelona, Manchester City and Olympiacos. He was the engine in Manchester City’s midfield that won 3 Premier League titles between 2011-2018.
A vital player for almost 20 years, Toure captained Ivory Coast’s national side leading them to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 2015. Although now retired from playing, Toure spent time coaching at Ukrainian club Olimpik Donetsk before resigning in 2022.
During his long club career and individual sponsorship deals with Puma, Yaya Toure amassed an estimated $70 million net worth.
African Footballers Garnering Global Attention
The profiles above showcase how modern African footballers starring for Europe’s giant teams and clubs are accumulating vast personal fortunes from their playing salaries, huge transfer fees, and endorsement packages.
Given football’s position as the world’s most popular sport combined with rapidly expanding budgets of elite European leagues, top African players are increasingly prominent in the global sports scene.
Europe’s richest clubs in England, Spain, Italy, France and Germany pay record salaries for the best African talent to strengthen their star-studded squads.
African players were initially undervalued in football’s global transfer market. But after legendary players like Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba and others demonstrated their world-beating quality and consistency, transfer fees and wages rose dramatically.
For example, Mohamed Salah earned Liverpool FC a club record $49 million transfer fee from AS Roma. And Achraf Hakimi commanded a $69 million move from Inter Milan to Paris Saint-Germain, an African record transfer fee.
As more African players sign with major global brands and shine with top European teams, their prominence and endorsement values keeps rising. Given their talent, drive and work ethic, expect their off-pitch net worths to continue growing immensely.
5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Net Worth $50 Million
Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang plays for Chelsea FC in the English Premier League after leaving Arsenal where he was a standout player and captain for 4 seasons.
Aubameyang first caught the eye playing for clubs like AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund, before becoming an Arsenal icon by scoring 72 goals in 2 seasons to become their fastest player ever to reach 50 goals.
In September 2021, he signed a lucrative 2 year extension at Arsenal worth $27 million annually. However he transferred to Chelsea in September 2022 on nearly $450,000 a week wages.
Combined with big sponsorship deals with brands like Nike and Axion, Aubameyang’s net worth is estimated around $50 million.
6. Emmanuel Adebayor – Net Worth $45 Million
Controversial striker Emmanuel Adebayor from Togo has played for top English clubs Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League amongst others.
With Togo’s national side, Adebayor appeared at multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and also captained the side at the 2006 World Cup.
Currently aged 38, Adebayor plays for Turkish club İstanbul Başakşehir while also running business ventures including an exclusive nightclub in Togo’s capital Lomé.
All those playing contracts and businesses have contributed to Adebayor’s estimated $45 million net worth.
7. Mikel John Obi – Net Worth $45 Million
Influential Nigerian midfielder Mikel John Obi played over 10 successful seasons with Chelsea FC in England’s Premier League winning multiple honors.
Highlights included Champions League and Premier League titles in 2012, followed by Europa League success in 2013 with Chelsea.
Obi was also a key member of Nigeria’s national side for over 14 years including captaining them to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 2023. After leaving Chelsea, Obi had stints in China’s Super League and with Turkish club Trabzonspor.
Off pitch, he invests in real estate assets which have grown his wealth to around $45 million.
8. Michael Essien – Net Worth $35 Million
Hard-tackling Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien starred for Chelsea FC in England and also played for European giants Real Madrid amongst other clubs.
Essien won Premier League titles in 2006 and 2010 during his glory days at Chelsea.
Essien’s national team career with Ghana spanned over 14 years where he competed at multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and two FIFA World Cups.
Since retiring from playing aged 37 in 2019, Essien has completed coaching badges and become an ambassador for Chelsea FC.
During his long career and current role at Chelsea, Essien has amassed an estimated net worth of $35 million.
9. Sadio Mane – Net Worth $25 Million
Senegalese forward Sadio Mane currently spearheads the attack for German champions Bayern Munich while also being the long-time captain of Senegal’s national team.
Mane first caught global attention playing in England’s Premier League for clubs Southampton and Liverpool FC, winning a host of honors including Champions League and Premier League titles with the latter.
Internationally, Mane led Senegal to landmark Africa Cup of Nations success in 2022, also receiving the tournament’s Best Player award.
Known for his blinding pace and clinical finishing, Mane’s current Bayern Munich contract pays over $20 million annually through 2025 to make him one of Africa’s highest paid footballers.
He also invests earnings into various charity projects in Senegal.
10. Achraf Hakimi – Net Worth $24 Million
Skillful right-back Achraf Hakimi plays a starring role for French champions Paris Saint-Germain having joined them from Inter Milan for a African record transfer fee of $69 million.
The pacey Moroccan international started his career with European superpower Real Madrid, winning multiple Champions League crowns before joining Inter Milan and excelling in Italy’s Serie A as well. Still only aged 24, Hakimi’s net worth already sit at a remarkable $24 million and keeps rising rapidly.
11. Riyad Mahrez – Net Worth $21 Million
Talented Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez currently stars for English Premier League champions Manchester City, having joined them from Leicester City for a club record $85 million in 2018.
Mahrez first burst onto the global scene after being the creative lynchpin behind Leicester City’s miraculous Premier League triumph in 2016.
He earned that landmark title win while also capturing the PFA Players’ Player award. At Manchester City, Mahrez has won 3 additional Premier League crowns so far and also finally tasted Africa Cup of Nations glory with long-time captain Algeria in 2022.
His stellar performances on-pitch combined with sponsorship deals off it have seen the tricky Mahrez amass a net worth around $21 million.
12. Kevin-Prince Boateng – Net Worth $20 Million
Powerfully built Ghanaian attacker Kevin-Prince Boateng has played for 15 different clubs around Europe including Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Barcelona and Besiktas amongst others.
Despite his journeyman career, Boateng excelled for Ghana’s national side too over 15 years, including at two World Cup tournaments.
Since retiring from international football in 2018, Boateng plays for Hertha Berlin in Germany’s Bundesliga while running a record label business on the side.
Those varied revenue streams have contributed to the 35 year old Boateng’s current net worth of $20 million.
13. Benni McCarthy – Net Worth $16 Million
Legendary South African marksman Benni McCarthy is best known for his goal-laden spells in the Premier League playing for Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United.
At his peak McCarthy earned a dream move to famous Spanish club Celta Vigo, while domestically he fired Cape Town City to South African league glory as player-coach post retirement in 2017.
Internationally with Bafana Bafana, McCarthy netted an impressive 32 goals in 80 appearances before quitting the national team setup in 2012.
In his prime McCarthy earned over $3 million playing wages annually and also signed endorsement deals with Puma, Castle Lager and MTN. Those earning contributed to his current net worth of $16 million.
14. Jay-Jay Okocha – Net Worth $15 Million
Nigerian playmaker Jay-Jay Okocha dazzled with his bag of flicks and tricks playing in Germany and Turkey before becoming a Premier League icon at Bolton Wanderers.
Okocha spent 10 trophy laden seasons playing for Eintracht Frankfurt then Fenerbahçe, winning both the Bundesliga with the former and Super League with the latter.
Okocha also made 75 appearances for Nigeria’s national side, captaining them to an Olympic Gold Medal in 1996 and appearances at multiple Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup tournaments.
Since retirement from football Okocha has dabbled in music, film and TV punditry which have further grown his personal fortune.
15. Kolo Touré – Net Worth $10.5 Million
Dependable Ivorian defender Kolo Touré enjoyed the most successful spell at English giants Arsenal before also playing for Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League.
Touré formed part of Arsenal’s historic ‘Invincibles’ squad that completed the 2003-04 Premier League season undefeated, while also winning further FA Cup crowns.
For almost 15 years, Touré was an Ivorian national team stalwart too including captaining them at two FIFA World Cups.
Since retiring from playing football in 2017, Touré has embarked on a coaching career where he is currently an assistant coach at Leicester City FC.
16. Nwankwo Kanu – Net Worth $9 Million
Gifted Nigerian forward Nwankwo Kanu starred for European giants Ajax, Inter Milan and Arsenal amongst a host of other clubs during his illustrious playing career spanning 21 years.
Kanu burst onto the scene powering a young Ajax side to historic Champions League success in 1995 before completing a dream move to Inter Milan the following season.
At Arsenal, Kanu won two Premier League titles and two FA Cup crowns cementing his legacy.
On the international stage Kanu also excelled by captaining Nigeria to Olympic Gold Medal success in 1996 and appearances at multiple Africa Cup of Nations and World Cups over 16 years service.
17. Vincent Enyeama – Net Worth $7 Million
Agile Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama earned over 100 international caps during 13 years as Nigeria’s undisputed number one shot-stopper.
Enyeama backstopped Nigeria to Africa Cup of Nations success in 2013 while being named CAF Africa’s best goalkeeper that same year.
At club level Enyeama starred in Israel, France and Greece but it was an 11 year spell with Lille OSC in French Ligue 1 that brought the most acclaim. As he enters retirement, Enyeama’s net worth is estimated at $7 million.
18. Kwadwo Asamoah – Net Worth $6 Million
Hard running Ghanaian midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah played at the highest level with Italian champions Juventus for six successful seasons.
There he won an impressive six Serie A titles, four Coppa Italia crowns and helped Juventus reach the 2015 Champions League final.
For Ghana’s national team, Asamoah competed at the FIFA World Cup twice while also winning the 2009 Under-20 World Cup.
Currently aged 33, Asamoah plays for Turkish club Fatih Karagümrük SK where he pen’s songs during his spare time.
Those skills have seen Asamoah build an estimated $6 million net worth so far.
19. Wilfried Zaha – Net Worth $4 Million
Skillful Ivorian winger Wilfried Zaha has been Crystal Palace FC’s star player for over 10 years in England’s Premier League.
Known for his speed, trickery and devastating left foot, Zaha has become the Eagles’ all-time top Premier League goal scorer over two playing spells.
Zaha switched nationality from England to Ivory Coast in 2016 and made his international debut in 2017.
As the Elephant’s current attacking talisman, Zaha helped them win the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2023 alongside the Player of the Tournament award. Still only 30 years old, Zaha’s net worth sits at $4 million but is slated to rise higher soon.
20. Kenneth Omeruo – Net Worth $3 Million
Imposing Nigerian center-back Kenneth Omeruo helped his national side win the long awaited Africa Cup of Nations crown in 2023.
Omeruo marshalled Nigeria’s defence including keeping a clean sheet in the final against Egypt.
Still aged only 29, Omeruo plays for Spanish La Liga side Leganes but has also had stints in England, Turkey and Belgium.
Combined with his rising profile from Nigeria’s recent continental success, Omeruo is currently worth an estimated $3 million.
Hello I am Gavin Hunt,
I has covered sports for over 20 years. I started writing for his college newspaper.
I reported on college sports. After graduating, became a sports reporter for a small local paper.
For ten years, I covered local high school and amateur games.
I profiled struggling athletes, inspiring readers. Later, I moved to the main city paper as lead columnist.
Now I travels nationally covering pro hometown teams.
My entertaining columns are widely read. With a big social media following, I has become the city’s top sports pundit.
