Africa has been a source of great talent in recent times providing us with many football players who are doing exceptionally well in Europe’s top leagues. Their talent is being recognized as a lot of clubs are signing them. It is a matter of great pride for the nation. Let us take a look at some of the best African football players in Europe right now.
Best African players in European football:
#5 Achraf Hakimi (Paris-Saint-Germain)
Born to Moroccan parents in Spain, Achraf Hakimi Mouh developed in the Real Madrid youth academy before playing for Castilla. He then played for the first team in 2017 and won the UCL with the club in 2017-18. before going on loan to Borussia Dortmund. The right wing-back has played across four of Europe’s top 5 leagues. He had an amazing run at Inter Milan where he even scored 7 goals playing as a defender. Currently, he is playing for the French club Paris Saint Germain where he continues to gain more recognition.
#4 Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)
Édouard Osoque Mendy joined Chelsea in 2020 and has had an amazing run with the club since. The Senegalese goalkeeper has kept 37 Clean sheets for the blues till now. Chelsea also won the UCL in 2020-21 defeating Manchester city in the finals. He is the first-ever African goalkeeper to ever start in a UCL final. The Chelsea number 16 also played a huge role in the semi-finals as he denied the Real Madrid number 9 Karim Benzema. He then went on to receive more recognition as he was shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or.
Read more : 5 Greatest Asian Footballers Of All Time
#3 Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)
Riyad Karim Mahrez is currently one of the most important players in Manchester city’s squad. The Algerian playmaker played for Leicester city scoring 48 goals for them. Leicester City won their first-ever league title in 2015-16 in which Mahrez scored 18 goals acting as a key player in their victory. He then signed for Liverpool in 2018 and has won 7 trophies with them since including two League titles. The Algerian also won the Africa cup of nations in 2019 with his national team. His consistency throughout the years has made him one of the best African players in European football.
#2 Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
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. He then joined Liverpool in 2016 and had his most successful run there. The winger has scored 107 goals for the reds so far and won 4 trophies. Mane has been one of the most important players of the Liverpool side built by Jurgen Klopp. His attacking style of play running down the wings makes him a prized possession for the club. Mane also made it to the top 5 in the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2019. Besides, the Senegalese winger also led his national team to the Africa cup of nations finals in 2019. When we talk about African players, one is sure to name Sadio.
Also Read: Top 5 Football Managers With Most Trophies
#1 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The Egyptian Mohamed Salah has been one of the most consistent and successful players in the Premier League. He joined Liverpool in 2017 and has won 4 trophies with them since. The reds won their first premier league title in 2019-20 in thirty years as their three-decade wait came to an end. Salah scored 19 goals and had 10 assists this season playing a major role in winning the title. He also won the UCL with them in 2018-19. The Liverpool number 11 has scored 111 goals for the Reds so far in the premier league. He was also awarded the golden boot in 2017/18, 2018/19, and named player of the season in 2017/18. Hence we can say that Mohamed Salah is one of the best African football players Europe has ever seen.
Honourable mentions include Didier Drogba, Kalidou Koulibaly, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and emerging talent Emaneul Dennis.
Follow TheSportsLite for more such updates. Happy reading!
