Top 10 best african soccer players to admire
Africa is known as one of the continents that produced many good players in the history of world football. Due to various external factors, the football of the Black continent is greatly affected in the development process compared to other continents. However, in the last few decades, African football has made significant strides. The proof is that they were first allowed by FIFA to host a World Cup in 2010 in South Africa. In addition, they also provide the world’s top leagues with quality players, not inferior to talents from South America or Europe. Below, Premiumsoccertips review the 10 best african soccer players, please refer to it!
Top 10 best african players of all time
1. Nwankwo Kanu – Nigeria
Nwankwo Kanu is one of the most decorated players in the history of African football, with titles including the Dutch Eredivisie, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, UEFA Cup, English Premier League, FA Cup, English Super Cup, and an Olympic Gold Medal. In terms of individual achievements, he was twice awarded the “African Player of the Year” title in 1996 and 1999.
Kanu rose to prominence during his time at Ajax with his technical skills and prolific goal-scoring abilities. After leaving the Netherlands, the player born in 1976 moved on to Inter Milan and later to Arsenal. Kanu made 87 appearances for Nigeria but couldn’t lead his national team to victory in the Africa Cup of Nations.
2. Riyad Mahrez – Algeria
Hailing from a humble background and immigrating from Algeria to France, Riyad Mahrez faced numerous challenges before making historic strides in football. He didn’t attract much attention until he exploded onto the scene with Leicester City in the preceding season. With 17 goals and 11 assists, the 26-year-old midfielder became a decisive factor in Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League triumph, an achievement deemed improbable with odds of 5000/1 before the season.
Mahrez’s success is not just a result of talent and dedication but also serves as a model of perseverance and relentless effort in overcoming life’s obstacles. Through perseverance and fighting spirit, he has demonstrated that nothing is impossible if one dares to dream and works diligently to achieve their goals. Mahrez has become an icon of confidence and resilience in both football and life.
3. Michael Essien – Ghana
Essien was known as one of the world’s top central midfielders and spent the prime years of his playing career at Chelsea. Rising through Bastia and later Lyon in France, the 33-year-old midfielder was acquired by The Blues in 2005 for £24.4 million. After eight seasons at Chelsea, Essien moved to AC Milan in 2013 and is currently on the other side of his career.
Throughout his playing career, Essien achieved numerous accolades, including 2 Ligue 1 titles, 2 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, 1 League Cup, and 1 Champions League. Additionally, he was voted BBC’s “African Footballer of the Year” in 2006, “Ghana Player of the Year” in 2008, and “Chelsea Player of the Year” in 2007.
4. Yaya Toure – Ivory Coast
Similar to Essien, Yaya Toure is regarded as one of the finest central midfielders produced by African football. At the age of 31, the Ivorian star continues to play a vital role in Manchester City’s lineup and has contributed to their 2 Premier League titles in recent years.
Prior to his time at Manchester City, Toure showcased impressive form at Barcelona, where he won numerous titles, including La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup. In early 2015, Toure played a crucial part in Ivory Coast’s victory over Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations final. Regarding individual accolades, Toure won the “African Footballer of the Year” award consecutively from 2011 to 2014, a clear testament to his efforts and talent in his career.
5. Jay-Jay Okocha – Nigeria
Jay-Jay Okocha, one of the most technically gifted players not only in Africa but also in the world, is renowned for his swift dribbling and skillful play. Despite not playing for many top European clubs outside of Paris Saint-Germain, Okocha remains widely known and admired by many fans.
Born in 1973, this midfielder left a profound mark in the Premier League during his time with Bolton Wanderers from 2002 to 2006. Okocha significantly contributed to the success of the team and became an icon among fans. He also helped Nigeria win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 and was honored as Nigeria’s Player of the Year for 7 consecutive years. It was a well-deserved recognition for Jay-Jay Okocha’s talent and dedication in his career.
6. Roger Milla – Cameroon
Roger Milla cannot be overlooked when discussing African football legends, with his significant contributions elevating the continent’s reputation on the international stage. At the 1990 World Cup, despite being 38 years old, Milla showcased remarkable performance, leading Cameroon to the quarter-finals, an unforgettable feat in African football history.
Four years later, Milla set a new record by becoming the oldest player to participate in the World Cup at the age of 42. This demonstrated that his strength and class were not limited to his youth but extended into his later years. In 2007, Milla was honored as the African Footballer of the Last 50 Years, a recognition of the remarkable career of one of Africa’s greatest footballers.
7. Abedi Pele – Ghana
Abedi Pele is an icon of African football, particularly during his successful spell with Marseille. He made significant contributions to the French Ligue 1 club’s Champions League triumph in 1993, a historic achievement not to be forgotten. Additionally, Abedi Pele is one of Ghana’s most famous footballers, scoring 33 goals in 67 appearances for the national team. He helped Ghana win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1982, marking one of the greatest successes in his career.
During his peak, Abedi Pele played a crucial role in creating memorable moments not only for his clubs but also for the national team. He is an undeniable icon in African football history and a significant inspiration for future generations.
8. Samuel Eto’o – Cameroon
Samuel Eto’o is renowned as one of Africa’s finest footballers who achieved success in Europe, playing for top clubs such as Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea. With this impressive record, he has contributed significantly to the development of African football on the international stage. Samuel Eto’o, along with Yaya Toure, holds the record for winning the African Footballer of the Year award four times, showcasing their greatness and influence in African football.
On the club front, the “Black Panther” forward shone brightly, winning numerous prestigious titles, including 3 La Liga titles, 2 Copa del Rey, 3 Champions League, 1 Serie A, and 2 Coppa Italia. Furthermore, with the national team, Eto’o won 2 Africa Cup of Nations titles, contributing to the prosperity of football on the African continent. These remarkable achievements solidify his position as one of Africa’s greatest football stars.
9. Didier Drogba – Ivory Coast
Didier Drogba, known as the “Elephant,” contributed to the development of African football as one of the most complete and outstanding strikers in history. Drogba achieved memorable feats, being honored twice as the Best African Footballer of the Year. On the club front, he conquered all titles with Chelsea, including 3 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, 3 League Cups, and 1 Champions League, significantly contributing to the success of the club.
In 2012, Drogba was named Chelsea’s greatest-ever player, a testament to his significant impact on the club. With the Ivory Coast national team, Drogba scored 65 goals in 104 appearances, ranking fourth in the list of all-time top scorers for his country, making a significant contribution to the development of football in this African nation.
10. George Weah – Liberia
George Weah is recognized as one of the greatest footballers not only in the history of African football but also worldwide. With honors such as the Ballon d’Or, European Footballer of the Year, and FIFA World Player of the Year, Weah has left an indelible mark on football fans.
Throughout his illustrious career, George Weah played for top clubs like Monaco, PSG, AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Marseille. He not only won domestic titles in Liberia, France, Italy, and the FA Cup but also achieved remarkable feats. At the national team level, Weah contributed 13 goals in 30 appearances for the Liberian team, playing a significant role in his international fame. In 1996, he was honored as the African Player of the Century, a clear testament to his tremendous influence on the world of football.
Conclude
In the synthesis of best african soccer players, we clearly see the diversity and influence they have made in world football. From legends like George Weah and Roger Milla to modern stars like Riyad Mahrez and Yaya Toure, Africa has relentlessly produced exceptional talent. Their success is not only the pride of the African people but also a clear testament to the strength and potential of football in this region. At the same time, the promotion and support for the development of football in Africa will continue to bring new talent and greater success in the future.
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