Richest African Footballers | Bio, Net worth

We are taking you to the world of a globally popular game—Football. Football (Soccer) is not only the most decorated sport in the world but also the most lucrative source for the players and clubs.

Africa is otherwise one of the poor continents, and the players playing only for their national team may not go from rags to riches, but making deals with richly rewarding clubs make them rich overnight.

We are presenting you a list of the top ten richest African Footballers who earned hefty money after they joined any of the clubs outside their own continent.

Top 10 Richest African Football Players | Brief Bio, Net worth, Facts about Football Players

Apart from national teams, there are various club teams that are owned by different companies involved in this highly demanding and money-spinning sport.

Most of these companies are based in the European and American continents, and most of the clubs also belong to these continents, especially Europe.

Among those famous clubs, these are worthy of mention: Real Madrid (Spain), FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, Bayern Munich, Arsenal FC, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool FC, Manchester City, and Inter Milan.

These clubs take part in various football leagues such as the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A, French Ligue 1, Chinese Super League, the Dutch league, etc.

The best thing about these leagues is that they get similar love and attention from the public as Soccer World Cup does; they are attended by an enormous audience.

The players purchased by the owners of the above-mentioned clubs belong to different regions, predominantly European and American countries.

However, these clubs also sign players from other continents like Africa for their uniqueness, aggressiveness, and skill set.

1. Samuel Eto’o Fils

Samuel Eto’o Fils, a Cameroonian footballer, leads our list. He is regarded as the best ever footballer in the history of African football.

He is known for his extravagant lifestyle and his donation to several charity organizations.

• Birth and Nationality: 10 March 1981, Douala, Cameroon.
• Net worth: $95 million
• Annual salary: $26 million
• Source of income: Football
• Skills: Excellent striker and speedy winger
• Appearances: 118 (international matches), 587 (club matches)
• Goals: 56 (international) 293 (leagues)
• Notable teams/clubs: Cameroon, Real Madrid, Mallorca, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Anzhi Makhachkala, Chelsea, Everton.
• Awards: 4 times African Footballer of the year, nominated for FIFA World Player of the Year.
  Status: Retired in September 2019.

Etoo started his soccer career as a minor at a Cameroon-based football academy, namely: “Kadji Sports Academy” in 1992.

He soon made a dream move by joining a highly famous club Real Madrid in 1996, at the age of just 15 years. A year later, Eto’o was selected for the national team; he was presumably the youngest player to have made it to the national team.

Etoo has been the leading scorer for his national team in the “Africa Cup of Nations,” which earned him four awards of African Player of the year.

While being under the ownership of Real Madrid, Eto’owasloaned to different clubs at different times. He completed his century of goals while playing for two clubs—Barcelona (144) and Mallorca (120).

The incredible money that has made him the richest African footballer came from the clubs he had been affiliated with.

Five (5) less known Facts about Eto’o

•  Most appearances in Spanish La Liga by an African.
• They the Highest paid player of 2011.
• He hated Pep Guardiola, the then coach of Barcelona.
• He owes a private jet and many luxurious cars.
• Eto’o has been scandalized by his compatriot Nathalie Koah who accused him of fraud.

2. Didier Yves Drogba

Didier Drogba, an Ivorian soccer king, is at 2nd in our list. He is regarded as the legend of national and Chelsea football teams.

• Birth and Nationality: 11 March 1978, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
• Net worth: $90 million
• Source of earnings: Football, commercials with top brands i.e. Nike, Adidas, Samsung.
• Position: Striker
• Appearances: 105 (international matches), 497 (club matches)
• Goals: 65 (international) 210 (leagues)
• Notable teams/clubs: Ivory Coast, Le Mans, Guingamp, Marseille, Chelsea, Shanghai Shenhua, Galatasaray,
• Montreal Impact, Phoenix Rising.
• Awards: Won the African Footballer of the Year award twice, in 2006 and 2009.
• Status: Retired in 2018.

Drogba was the major contributor to his national team’s first-ever entry into Football World Cup 2006 after winning the qualifiers.

He also captained his national team in 2006. Drogba started his football career at Le Man’s club when he turned 18.

He joined Chelsea in 2004 after a substantial deal of $24 million, which is the highest for any Ivorian player ever played for any club.

After his entry into the team, Chelsea emerged as Champion of the Premier League 2004, after almost fifty years.

Later on, he became the first ever African player to have completed a century of goals in the Premier League.

The Chelsea legend, Drogba, signed a number of lucrative contracts at the height of his career at Chelsea. He was paid one hundred and seventy thousand dollars per week.

At Shanghai Shenhua, he earned the staggering three hundred and twenty-five thousand.

At Galatasaray, he earned 5.2 million dollars per year. Apart from his footballing career, he has been bestowed with the money of many commercial brands.

Five (5) Less Known Facts about Drogba

• His nickname is Tito.
• He was the most expensive Ivorian player in his time.
• He is believed to have stopped an inevitable civil war in his country.
• The birth of his son Isaac proved a lucky charm for him.
• He was one of the tallest players in Chelsea at 6 ft 2 inches in height.

3. Yaya Toure

Yaya Toure, another Ivorian footballer, represents his national team as well as different clubs.

He started his soccer journey when he was just 18 years. His first football club was ASEC Mimosa.

• Birth and Nationality: 13 May 1983, Bouaké, Ivory Coast.
• Net worth: $70 million
• Source of earnings: Football
• Position: Striker, center back, and midfielder
• Appearances: 101 (international matches), 470 (club matches)
• Goals: 19 (international) 79 (leagues)
• Notable teams/clubs: Ivory Coast, Beveren, Metalurh Donetsk, Olympiacos, Monaco, Barcelona, Manchester City, Olympiacos, Qingdao Huanghai.
• Awards: Have won 4 African Footballer of the year awards.
• Status: Active

After a brief stay in different clubs, he got entry into his national team in 2004. He was also part of his national team qualifying and playing in the 2006 Football World cup.

Yaya Toure got the ticket of Barcelona in 2007 and was a part of Barcelona’s success every year (2009) when this club won 4 trophies, including the Champions League.

His stay at the Manchester club has earned him global recognition. It was 2010 when he joined Manchester City, where he was given about two hundred and ten thousand Euros a week.

Why not he be given that handsome amount! he was the player who helped Manchester City, with his decisive goals in the semi and final, to win FA Cup after 44 years.

Yaya Toure has represented his national team in 3 World Cups and 6 African Cup of Nations tournaments.

Five (5) Less Known Facts about  Yaya Toure

• He is the brother of Kolo Touré. Kolo Touré also plays for national and Manchester City teams.
• He has won 4 biggest continental awards consecutively.
• He does not enjoy champagne after victory.
• In 2003 he was to join Arsenal but could not go England due to his passport.
• He won man of the match in 2014 World Cup against Japan.

4. Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly

Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly, an Egyptian professional footballer, is arguably the most talented young player of this generation of his peerless dribbling skills and superb speed.

• Birth and Nationality: 15 June 1992, Nagrig, Basyoun, Egypt.
• Net worth: $70 million
• Source of earnings: Football
• Position: Plays as forward.
• Appearances: 67 (international matches), 100 (club matches)
• Goals: 41 (international) 70 (leagues)
• Notable teams/clubs: Egypt, Al Mokawloon, Basel, Chelsea, Fiorentina, Roma, Liverpool.
• Awards: CAF Most Promising African Talent of the Year, Premier League Golden Boot, PFA Player of the Year, CAF African Footballer of the Year, BBC African Footballer of the Year.
• Status: Active

He is lovingly referred to as the “Egyptian King”. Currently, he is playing for Premier League side Liverpool and the Egyptian national football team.

He helped his national team perform exceptionally well in the Africa Cup of Nations 2017 and qualify for the World Cup 2018 after qualifiers.

He also helped his club Liverpool win European Championship and reach the final of the English Premier League.

Mohamed Salah Hamed is the highest-paid footballer at Liverpool Football Club of the English Premier League.

Before joining Liverpool, Sala played for various top clubs, including Basel, Chelsea, Fiorentina (loaned), and Roma (loaned).

Salah could make this list with the courtesy of Liverpool, which has earned him an outstanding weekly salary. He is getting rich every passing day but never leaves humbleness.

Five (5) Less Known Facts about Mohamed Salah

• He has various nicknames such as The Pharaoh, Egyptian Messi, Bearded Maradona, Cairo Cristiano, Pyramid Pele, etc.
• He likes to eat an Egyptian dish named Kushari.
• He is a fan of his compatriot actor Khaled El Nabawy and also of Leonardo DiCaprio.
• He is highly compassionate. Once his family was robbed, and the robber was caught soon. Salah withdrew the case against him and gave him some money to avoid wrongdoings in the future.
• Once his fans voted him in elections. However, those votes were not counted because Salah was not contending the election rather, it was his fans who exhibited their love for him by doing so.

5. John Mikel Obi

John Mikel Obi, the Chelsea champion, has been associated with soccer for 15 years.

He started his professional football career in 2004 with a Norwegian club—Lyn. After two years, Mikel Obi joined the Super Eagles (his national team) in 2006.

• Birth and Nationality: 22 April 1987, Jos, Nigeria.
• Net worth: $57 million
• Annual salary: $ 6 million
• Source of earnings: Football
• Position: Midfielder
• Appearances: 91 (international matches), 322 (club matches)
• Goals: 6 (international) 6 (leagues)
• Notable teams/clubs: Nigeria, Lyn, Chelsea, Tianjin TEDA, Middlesbrough and Trabzonspor
• Awards: Won silver ball in FIFA World Youth Championship 2005.
• Status: Active

He, from the very beginning, proved to be the master of invaluable skills. His strength lies in the position of midfielder, which earned him a global reputation.

At the age of just twelve, he showed promising soccer skills and was nominated for Pepsi Football Academy; about three thousand contestants competed alongside John Mikel Obi. T

his feast opened new roads to a glaring future for him; he later became part of the U-17 team and senior national team.

Until now, Mikel Obi has represented his country in 91 matches and has played 322 matches for leading clubs around the world.

The major chunk of his career is associated with a renowned English club Chelsea, where he participated in 249 matches and spent 11 years.

He has amassed considerable wealth during his affiliation with multiple popular clubs, including Chelsea, and has become the fifth richest footballer in Africa.

Five (5) Less Known Facts about John Mikel Obi

• He married his Russian girlfriend, Olga Diachenko. They have twin daughters.
• His father got Kidnapped and rescued twice. Recently in 2018, when Mikel Obi was playing WC.
• The shift from the position of striker to midfielder reduced his goals. He could score 12 goals during 413 appearances.
• He was reported to have been in a deal with Manchester United, another English club, before Chelsea.
• He became the captain of his national team in 2016.

6. Emmanuel Adebayor

Emmanuel Adebayor, the most prolific scorer of the Togolese soccer team, won’t surprise you if we place him in sixth position on our list.

He is, by all means, an accomplished footballer of all time. His professional career as a footballer started in 2000 when he joined his national team.

• Birth and Nationality: 26 February 1984, Lomé, Togo.
• Net worth: $45 million
• Source of earnings: Football
• Position: Striker
• Appearances: 87 (international matches), 451 (club matches)
• Goals: 32 (international) 161 (leagues)
• Notable teams/clubs: Togo, Metz, Monaco, Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur,
• Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, İstanbul Başakşehir, Kayserispor and Olimpia.
• Awards: African Footballer of the year 2008.
• Status: Active

Along with his national team, he has played for English, Spanish, French and Turkish clubs. All these clubs helped him become exceedingly wealthy.

However, his stay at Arsenal, an English club, proved hugely rewarding for him.

Emmanuel Adebayor is an all-time high scorer for his national team—Togo.  He, owing to his sheer talent and the phenomenal success that he diligently achieved during 2008, won Africa’s biggest award for any footballer—African Footballer of the year.

Five (5) Less Known Facts about Emmanuel Adebayor

• In his infancy, he could not walk a single step; his walking ability kicked off as a miracle.
• His personal life has been sorrowful with the bereavement of his brother and the loss of property.
• He was qualified to choose either Nigeria or Togo as his national team. He preferred Togo to Nigeria.
• In 2010, he was a member of the Togolese team when their bus was attacked during the campaign of the African Cup of Nations.
• He considers Nwankwo Kanu, a Nigerian legendary footballer, his guru.

7. Michael Essien

Michael Essien, a sturdy and effective midfielder, has been the best in the business since the start.He started his football career in 1998 with Liberty Professionals, which was based in Ghana.

• Birth and Nationality: 3 December 1982, Accra, Ghana.
• Net worth: $35 million
• Source of earnings: Football
• Position: Midfielder
• Appearances: 58 (international matches), 402 (club matches)
• Goals: 9 (international) 43 (leagues)
• Notable teams/clubs: Ghana, Bastia, Lyon, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Milan, Panathinaikos, Persib Bandung, and Sabail.
• Awards: Ghanaian Footballer of the year, Chelsea Player of the year.
• Status: Active

In 1999, he played in the Under-17 World Championship in New Zealand, and in 2001 Essien participated in FIFA World Youth Championship.

He performed brilliantly in these championships and caught the attention of the international audience. Essien’s exhibition of matchless tackling skills soon earned him a place in his senior national team and leading clubs beyond Ghana.

He has represented his team in 58 matches and participated in the African Cup of Nations and two Football World Cups—2006 and 2014.

Apart from his national team, he has represented many famous clubs such as Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Milan. However, his popularity soared high when he was in Chelsea Football Club, where he spent nine years and played 168 matches.

Chelsea and Essien had their first deal in 2005 that cost Chelsea£24.4 million.

This deal surpassed the deal that Chelsea made with our 2nd richest footballer—Didier Yves Drogba.

By courtesy of rewarding clubs, including Chelsea, Essien has become the richest footballer in Ghana. Whereas, among the top 10 richest African Footballers, he maintains 7th position.

Five (5) Less Known Facts about Michael Essien

• He is shy and soft-spoken.
• His nickname is Bison. Essien is a powerful and tough player like Bison.
• His parents separated when Essien was just two years old. His mother looked after him.
• His 24.4 million pound deal with Chelsea made him an expensive player of 2005.
• He was nominated Chelsea Player of the year—the first African to have achieved this.

8. Asamoah Gyan

Asamoah Gyan, the heart of the Ghanaian attack, started his professional career with Liberty Professionals, a Ghanaian Premier League club, in 2003. He announced his entry in the international arena with his maiden goal on his debut, in 2003.

• Birth and Nationality:22 November 1985, Accra, Ghana.
• Net worth: $ 23 million
• Source of earnings: Football and business.
• Position: Striker
• Appearances: 109 (international matches), 333 (club matches)
• Goals: 51 (international) 173 (leagues)
• Notable teams/clubs: Ghana, Liberty Professionals, Udinese, Modena, Rennes, Sunderland, Al Ain, Shanghai SIPG, Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, and Kayserispor.
• Awards: Ghanaian Footballer of the Year and BBC African Footballer of the Year.
• Status: Active

Asamoah Gyan has represented his country as a player and captain in 109 matches, where he scored 51 goals. He has participated in 3 Football World Cups and 8 African cups of Nations.

His performance has been remarkably commendable at the international level, where he helped his national team reach in two finals of “The African Cup of Nations” and the quarter-final of the 2010 World Cup. He is also the leading goal scorer from Africa with six goals in World Cups.

In addition to his national team, Asamoah Gyan has played for various clubs across the globe. His journey with Al Ain, a UAE-based football club, has been highly successful.

He scored 73 goals in 65 matches that he played while being an integral part Al Ain FC.

Before joining Al Ain FC, Asamoah Gyan was signed by Sunderland, an English Premier League club, for 13 million pounds. The wealth that he has accumulated so far has been offered by the clubs he plays for.

Currently, he is the 2nd richest Ghanaian footballer after his compatriot Michael Essien and is the eighth richest Footballer of Africa.

Five (5) Less Known Facts about Asamoah Gyan

• He owns a$3 million mansion.
• He is fond of boxing and has fought a couple of fights.
• He is involved in more than ten businesses that include real estate, transport, gas fields, mining, bands, etc.
• He is married to Gifty Gyan and has 3 issues.
• He is the founder of Baby Jet Airlines, based in Ghana.

9. Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane, a sensational Senegalese forward, started his soccer career with the French club Metz in 2011.

He joined his national team in 2012 and became part of the 2012 Olympic tournament at the very start of his career. His entry into the national team made it highly challenging and daunting for any opposition.

• Birth and Nationality:10 April 1992, Sédhiou, Senegal.
• Net worth: $20 million
• Source of earnings: Football
• Position: Forward and Winger
• Appearances: 69 (international matches), 270 (club matches)
• Goals: 19 (international) 113 (leagues)
• Notable teams/clubs: Senegal, Metz, Red Bull Salzburg, Southampton and Liverpool.
• Awards: African Footballer of the year and Premier League Golden Boot.
• Status: Active

Sadio Mane has represented his national team in 69 matches, where he has scored 19 goals. He participated in the World Cup 2018 and the African Cup of Nations 2019.

His performance in the latter tournament has earned him African Footballer of the year even though his team lost the final against Algeria.

S. Mane is an equally valuable player at international and league competitions. He has represented four leading clubs: Metz, Red Bull Salzburg, Southampton, and Liverpool, in just eight years of his career.

However, his current club Liverpool has been lucky enough for him, where he has played 118 matches and scored 59 goals. He helped his team reach two finals of the UEFA Champions League and win one of them.

Sadio Mane signed a deal of whooping 34 million pounds with Liverpool in 2016. He is the richest footballer in Senegal and the 9th richest footballer in Africa.

Five (5) Less Known Facts about Sadio Mane

• He was born of a poor family which could not afford his studies.
• He holds the record of the fastest hat-trick in the Premier League.
• He has been robbed twice.
• He practices Islam devotedly.
• He is the second highest goal scorer for Liverpool from African soil.

10. Sulley Ali Muntari

Sulley Ali Muntari, a veteran midfielder of Ghana, started his footballing career at a star-making Ghanaian club Liberty Professionals, in 2000. When he was 16, he joined the Ghanaian U-20 team.

• Birth and Nationality:27 August 1984, Konongo, Ashanti, Ghana.
• Net worth: $15.5 million
• Source of earnings: Football
• Position: Midfielder
• Appearances: 84 (international matches), 325 (club matches)
• Goals: 20 (international) 33 (leagues)
• Notable teams/clubs: Ghana, Udinese, Portsmouth, Internazionale (Inter Milan), Sunderland, Milan,
• Ittihad, Pescara, Deportivo La Coruña and Albacete.
• Awards: CAF Team of the Year’s member.
• Status: Active

The same team participated in FIFA World Youth Championship held in Argentina in 2001. Unfortunately, they could not win the final against Argentina and ended their tournament on a high note with runners-up.

Sulley Ali Muntari made his international debut against Slovenia in 2002.

He has represented his country in 84 matches and participated in three World Cups and two African Cup of Nations.

His performance in the quarterfinal of the 2010 World Cup against Uruguay will be remembered for a long time where he scored a precious goal in the first half of the game, and his team got 1-0 lead. However, Uruguay managed to snatch the game in the end.

Sulley Ali Muntari has also played for popular clubs such as Udinese, Inter Milan, Sunderland, and Milan. He spent most of his career playing for an Italian FC—Udinese.

Muntari has earned a huge sum for his affiliation with different clubs. He is currently the 3rd richest footballer of Ghana after two above-mentioned Ghanaian starts and the 9th richest footballer in Africa.

Five (5) Less Known Facts about Sulley Ali Muntari

• He is married to a model named Menaye Donkor. She is the winner of “The Miss Ghana Award”.
• He is a devoted Muslim. He offers prayer and keeps fasts during the holy month of Ramadan.
• He eagerly participates in charity work along with his wife.
• He owns a garage and expensive luxury cars.
• Once his jersey was rejected by a ball boy after the match. However, Muntari convinced him to take it.

Conclusion

Football is a super crazy game. It is the game of consistency and confidence. This passionate sport is liked by millions of people all across the world.

We have presented a well-researched list of the top richest football players of Africa, as liked by you.