Seunfunmi Joshua
Over the years, Africa has produced exceptionally talented and thrilling footballers who have mesmerized fans with their skills and determination. Players like Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, Nwankwo Kanu, Yaya Toure, and others have made their mark in world football, showcasing not only their exceptional football abilities but also their significant market value, highlighting their impact and talent.
As we look ahead to 2024, this trend continues, with African players continuing to shine on football’s biggest stages and competitions.
In this write-up, we explore ten of Africa’s most valuable footballers currently, who have captured the hearts of fans worldwide.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – €110,000,000
Nigerian Napoli SSC player Victor is currently the most valuable player in Africa, with a value of an impressive €110 million. This comes as no surprise, as Victor has established himself as one of Europe’s top strikers, winning the Serie A golden boot and guiding his club to their first Serie A title in 33 years.
Osimhen has been in the news recently over a potential move to PSG according to Athletic writer, David Ornstein, we’ll be following closely in the summer when the transfer window opens again.
Achraf Hakimi (Morroco) – €60,000,000
Achraf Hakimi is a versatile footballer from Morocco who primarily plays as a full-back or wing-back for Paris Saint-Germain and the Morocco national team. Renowned for his speed and attacking skills, Hakimi is recognized as one of the most promising young talents in football. Having represented clubs such as Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan, he has achieved success both domestically and internationally.
Mohammed Kudus (Ghana) – €45,000,000
Ranked third is Mohammed Kudus, a Ghanaian attacking midfielder for English club West Ham United and Ghana’s national team. Kudus is celebrated for his technical proficiency, vision, and goal-scoring prowess, establishing himself as a promising talent in African football.
He joined West Ham in the summer of 2023 and has quickly made an impact with his performances, which is why he is highly rated.
Andre Onana (Cameroun) – €40,000,000
Andre Onana is a Cameroonian professional footballer who serves as a goalkeeper for Manchester United, one of the world’s largest clubs. Recognized for his footballing skills, agility, and distribution, Onana is esteemed as one of Africa’s premier goalkeepers.
He has previously played for Ajax and Inter Milan, securing numerous domestic titles and delivering impressive performances in the UEFA Champions League, where he earned the Golden Glove award last season.
Ousmane Diomande (Ivory Coast) – €40,000,000
Ousmane Diomande (born 4 December 2003) is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Primeira Liga club Sporting CP and the Ivory Coast national team.
As a central defender, he has the ability to play out from the back and drive the team forward, allowing his team to play out of trouble and turn defense to attack quickly. His main strengths are his physicality, his vision and his speed, but he has also notable short passing, dribbling, positioning, anticipation and tackling attributes.
Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso) – €40,000,000
Tapsoba is considered one of the most promising young defenders in African football. He has quickly risen through the ranks, impressing with his performances at both club and international levels.
Currently, he plays as a center-back for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and the Burkina Faso national team.
He is expected to attract interest in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Mohammed Salah (Egypt) – €35,000,000
Salah, a forward for Liverpool FC and the Egypt national team, is widely regarded as one of the world’s top players. He has earned numerous individual accolades and played a key role in Liverpool’s success, including their UEFA Champions League triumph. Known for his pace, dribbling, and scoring prowess, Salah is among the most highly regarded African footballers in history.
Ismael Bennacer (Algeria) – €35,000,000
Ismael Bennacer is an Algerian midfielder known for his technical prowess, passing accuracy, and industrious playstyle.
He is hailed as one of the most talented young midfielders in African football, having clinched various domestic and international titles with AC Milan and playing a pivotal role in Algeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations victory.
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Cameroun) – €35,000,000
Anguissa plays as a midfielder for SSC Napoli in Italy and the Cameroon national team. He is known for his physicality, energy, and ability to win the ball, making him a versatile player who contributes in both defense and attack.
On October 1st, 2022, Anguissa scored his first Serie A goals, netting a brace in Napoli’s 3-1 win over Torino. At the end of the season, he and Napoli clinched the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years.
Gouiri (Algeria) – €28,000,000
Born in France but he now plays for the Algeria national team. He has represented France at various youth levels and has been praised for his performances in Ligue 1.
Known for his pace, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring ability, Gouiri is considered one of the rising stars in French football.
Final Thoughts
Africa is home to many incredibly talented and valuable footballers. From well-known players like Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané to up-and-coming stars like Mohammed Kudus and Achraf Hakimi, African footballers are becoming more prominent on the world stage. As these players continue to impress and their value increases, it’s clear that African football is becoming increasingly influential globally.
