The African continent is blessed with many talented people. Among the gifted people are football stars, some of whom are recognised internationally. The richest African footballers have played for local and international teams.
The richest African footballers are worth millions of dollars. Many have accumulated most of their wealth from their soccer careers. Others have multiple streams of income, including football coaching and brand endorsem*nts.
Richest African footballers and their net worth
Check out the list of the top ten richest African footballers in 2023. Some of them are still playing, while others are retired.
20. Kenneth Omeruo - $3 million
- Full name: Kenneth Josiah Omeruo
- Date of birth: 17 October 1993
- Age: 30 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Abia State, Nigeria
- Team: Kasımpaşa
Kenneth Omeruo plays as Nigeria national team and Kasımpaşa. Omeruo left Standard Liège to join Chelsea in January 2012, and he later signed a loan deal with ADO Den Haag of the Dutch top division. Kenneth Omeruo’s net worth is $3 million.
19. Wilfried Zaha - $4 million
- Full name: Dazet Wilfried Armel Zaha
- Date of birth: 10 November 1992
- Age: 31 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Abidjan, Ivory Coast
- Team: Galatasaray
Wilfried Zaha plays as left winger for Galatasaray and the Ivory Coast national team. He signed a three-year contract with Galatasaray for a fee of €2.35m and an annual salary of €4.35m. Wilfried Zaha’s net worth is $4 million.
18. Sulley Muntari - $5 Million
- Full name: Suleyman Ali Muntar
- Date of birth: 27 August 1984
- Age: 39 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Konongo, Ashanti, Ghana
Sulley Muntari played as a midfielder for such as Udinese, Inter Milan, and AC Milan. In Ghana in 2008, at the African Cup of Nations Tournament, he was chosen as an All-Star Player. Sulley Muntari’s net worth is $5 Million.
17. Kwadwo Asamoah - $6 million
- Full name: Kwadwo Asamoah
- Date of birth: 9 December 1988
- Age: 34 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Accra, Ghana
Kwadwo Asamoah was a midfielder or defender for Cagliari Calcio. He was awarded CAF Most Promising African player in 2010 and Ghana Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013. He played for clubs such as Udinese, Inter Milan and Juventus. Kwadwo Asamoah’s net worth is $6 million.
16. Christopher Samba - $7 million
- Full name: Veijeany Christopher Samba
- Date of birth: 28 March 1984
- Age: 39 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Créteil, France
Christopher Samba played as a defender for the Congo national team and Aston Villa. Samba played for various football clubs, including Hertha BSC, Blackburn Rovers, and Dynamo Moscow. Christopher Samba's net worth is $7 million.
15. Nwankwo Kanu - $9 million
- Full name: Nwankwo Kanu
- Date of birth: 1st August 1976
- Age: 47 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Owerri, Nigeria
- Teams: Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Dutch side Ajax, Inter Milan of Italy, Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth
Nwankwo Kanu started his career in 1992 for Iwuanyanwu Nationale. He started playing for his home country's national team in 1993. The same year, he was signed by the Dutch team Eredivisie AFC Ajax.
He played for Arsenal from 1999 to 2004 and West Bromwich Albion from 2004 to 2006. He finished his career in 2012 at Portsmouth. Nwankwo Kanu's net worth is $9 million.
14. Kolo Abib Touré - $10.5 million
- Full name: Kolo Abib Touré
- Date of birth: 19th March 1981
- Age: 42 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire
- Teams: Manchester, Liverpool, Celtic, and Arsenal
Kolo Abib Touré is one of the richest African footballers. Kolo Abib Touré's net worth of $10.5 million is quite impressive. The former athlete played as a defender for Manchester City, Arsenal, Celtic, Liverpool, and the Ivory Coast national team.
In early 2002, he joined the Premier League team Arsenal. He played for Arsenal until 2009, when he joined Manchester City. He joined Liverpool in May 2013. He retired in September 2017 and is now a Celtic coach.
13. Salomon Kalou - $11 million
- Full name: Salomon Armand Magloire Kalou
- Date of birth: 5 August 1985
- Age: 38 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Oumé, Ivory Coast
- Team: Arta/Solar7
Salomon Kalou plays as a forward and winger for Djiboutian club Arta/Solar7. He previously played for Chelsea, Feyenoord, Lille, Hertha Berlin and Batafogo. Salomon Kalou's net worth is $11 million.
12. Jay-Jay Okocha - $15 million
- Full name: Augustine Azuka Okocha
- Date of birth: 14 August 1973
- Age: 50 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Enugu, Nigeria
Jay-Jay Okocha was an attacking midfielder for teams such as Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers, Qatar SC, and Hull SC.
In 2003 and 2004, he was named BBC African Footballer of the Year. Jay-Jay Okocha’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $15 million.
11. Benni McCarthy - $16 million
- Full name: Benedict Saul McCarthy
- Date of birth: 12 November 1977
- Age: 46 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Cape Town, South Africa
- Team: Manchester United
Benni McCarthy is a first-time coach at Manchester United. Benni previously played as a forward for various teams such as West Ham United, Ajax, Porto, Celta Vigo and Blackburn Rovers. He holds a record among the South African national team for being all-time leading goal scorer with 32 goals. Benni McCarthy’s net worth is $16 million.
10. Sadio Mané - $25 million
- Full name: Sadio Mané
- Date of birth: 10th April 1992
- Age: 31 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Bambali, Senegal
- Team: Bayern Munich
Sadio Mané plays for the Senegal national team and Liverpool, a Premier League club. Before joining Liverpool, he was signed with the Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg, Ligue 2 club Metz, and Southampton.
Sadio Mané's net worth as of 2023 is $25 million, making him among one of the top 10 richest African footballers. Sadio Mané's annual salary is 5 million GBP.
9. Victor Moses - $27 million
- Full name: Victor Moses
- Date of birth: 12 December 1990
- Age: 32 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
- Team: Spartak Moscow
Victor Moses plays as a wing-back for the Russian club Spartak Moscow. Victor has played for clubs such as West Ham, Inter Milan, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Stroke City and Liverpool. In July 2021, he signed a two-year club contract with Spartak Moscow, but in February, he extended his contract to 2024. Victor Moses' net worth is $27 million.
8. Asamoah Gyan - $30 Million
- Full name: Asamoah Gyan
- Date of birth: 22 November 1985
- Age: 38 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Accra, Ghana
- Team: NorthEast United FC
Asamoah Gyan was a footballer who played as a striker for Legon Cities FC and Ghana national team. He represented Ghana at the FIFA World Cup in 2006,2010 and 2014. He is the highest African to have scored more goals at the World Cup. Asamoah Gyan’s net worth is $30 Million.
7. Michael Essien - $35 million
- Full name: Michael Kojo Essien
- Date of birth: 3rd December 1982
- Age: 40 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Accra, Ghana
- Teams: Chelsea, Sabail, AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Persib Bandung
Michael Essien is a former professional footballer. The Ghanaian athlete was a midfielder and is currently a member of the coaching staff of the Danish Superliga club, Nordsjælland.
Michael started his career at a local club in Ghana after graduating from St. Augustine College. In 2005, the France National Union Professional Footballers voted him the Player of the Year. Today, Michael Essien's net worth is $35 million.
6. Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor - $45 million
- Full name: Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor
- Date of birth: 26th February 1984
- Age: 39 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Lomé, Togo
- Team: AC Semassi FC
Emmanuel Adebayor is a famous Togolese athlete. He started his career in his home country. From 2003 to 2006, he played for Monaco. In 2006 he signed with Arsenal, and in 2009, he signed with Manchester City. In 2012, he signed Tottenham Hotspur. Emmanuel Adebayor's net worth is $45 million.
5. John Obi Mikel - $45 million
- Full name: Mikel John Obi
- Date of birth: 22nd April 1987
- Age: 36 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Jos, Nigeria
John Obi-Mikel is a former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He played for Chelsea and the Nigerian national team.
The athlete started his career at Pepsi Football Academy at 12. Later, he played for Nigeria at the FIFA Under-17 World Championships. He signed with Chelsea in 2005. He was Chelsea's Young Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008. John Obi-Mikel's net worth is $45 million as of 2023.
4. Yaya Touré Gnégnéri - $70 million
- Full name: Gnégnéri Yaya Touré
- Date of birth: 13th May 1983
- Age: 40 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire
- Team: Manchester City F.C.
Yaya Touré Gnégnéri started playing football with the ASEC Mimosas Youth Academy team in Cote d'Ivoire. He then relocated to Europe, where he played for Beveren in Belgium.
Later, he signed with AS Monaco before joining Barcelona. In 2010, he joined Manchester City. Today, he is an academy coach for Tottenham Hotspur. Yaya Touré's net worth is $70 million.
3. Mohamed Salah - $90 million
- Full name: Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly
- Date of birth: 15th June 1992
- Age: 31 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Nagrig, Egypt
- Team: Liverpool
Mohamed Salah is commonly known as the Egyptian King or The Pharaoh. He is one of the best strikers in the world. At 30, Mohamed Salah's net worth is an impressive $90 million.
The Egyptian King is a key player in the Italian and English leagues. He currently plays as a forward for Liverpool and captains the Egypt national team.
2. Didier Yves Drogba Tébily - $90 million
- Full name: Didier Yves Drogba Tébily
- Date of birth: 11th March 1978
- Age: 45 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- Teams: Chelsea, Marseille, Montreal Impact, and Galatasaray
Drogba was one of the highest-paid footballers in the world, earning a salary of $15 million per year. Today, Didier Drogba's net worth is $90 million.
The retired athlete was known for his striking ability and tendency to score goals during big matches. He is a former captain of the Ivory Coast national team.
1. Samuel Eto'o - $95 million
- Full name: Samuel Eto'o Fils
- Date of birth: 10th March 1981
- Age: 42 years (as of 2023)
- Place of birth: Douala, Cameroon
- Team: Barcelona and Chelsea
Samuel Eto'o Fils is among the top 10 richest African players of all time. The former Cameroonian footballer was one of the highest-paid footballers globally, earning an annual salary of $26 million. Samuel Eto'o's net worth is $95 million. He is regarded as one of the best strikers of all time. In 2004, he joined Barcelona for a transfer fee of 24 million Euros.
Summary of the richest African footballers
Rank | Name | Net worth |
1 | Samuel Eto'o | $95 million |
2 | Didier Yves Drogba Tébily | $90 million |
3 | Mohamed Salah | $90 million |
4 | Yaya Touré Gnégnéri | $70 million |
5 | John Obi Mikel | $45 million |
6 | Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor | $45 million |
7 | Michael Essien | $35 million |
8 | Asamoah Gyan | $30 million |
9 | Victor Moses | $27 million |
10 | Sadio Mané | $25 million |
11 | Benni McCarthy | $16 million |
12 | Jay-Jay Okocha | $15 million |
13 | Salomon Kalou | $11 million |
14 | Kolo Abib Touré | $10.5 million |
15 | Nwankwo Kanu | $9 million |
16 | Christopher Samba | $7 million |
17 | Kwadwo Asamoah | $6 million |
18 | Sulley Muntari | $5 million |
19 | Wilfried Zaha | $4 million |
20 | Kenneth Omeruo | $3 million |
Who is the richest footballer in the world?
The wealthiest footballer in the world is Faiq Jefri Bolkiah. Bolkiah has a net worth of $20 billion.
Who is the current richest African footballer?
The wealthiest African footballer is Samuel Eto'o Fils. He is worth $95 million as of 2023.
Who is the richest man in Africa?
Business magnate Aliko Dangote is the wealthiest man in Africa in 2023. He has a net worth of $11.5 billion.
Who is the richest footballer in Africa?
The richest football player in Africa in 2023 is Samuel Eto'o Fils. He is worth $95 million.
Who is the best African player in 2023?
The best African footballers in 2023 include Sadio Mané from Senegal, Edouard Mendy from Senegal, Karl Toko Ekambi from Cameroon, Achraf Hakimi from Morocco, and Mohamed Salah from Egypt.
The richest African footballers come from various countries on the continent. Most started their careers in local clubs before moving to the global ones.
Sportsbrief.com recently published a list of the best ice skaters of all time. Figure skating began in 3,000 BC and gradually became a sport through the 17th and 18th centuries.
When figure skating started in the Olympics, it opened the sport to a wider global audience. Madge Syers was the first woman to ice skate competitively. She finished second, bagging the 1902 World Championships silver medal.
