10 richest African footballers in 2023 and their net worth

10 richest African footballers in 2023 and their net worth

Ciku Njuguna, Cyprine Apindi
February 24, 2023 at 2:39 PM

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.

Richest African footballers
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

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 endorsements.

Richest African footballers in 2023 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.

10. Nwankwo Kanu - $9 million

richest footballer in the world
Nwankwo Kanu carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg through Coventry during day 44 of the Olympic Flame Torch Relay in Coventry, England. Photo: @LOCOG
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Nwankwo Kanu
  • Date of birth: 1st August 1976
  • Age: 46 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Owerri, Nigeria
  • Nationality: Nigerian
  • Teams: Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Dutch side Ajax, Inter Milan of Italy, Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth
  • Net worth: $9 million

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 dollars.

9. Kolo Abib Touré - $10.5 million

  • Full name: Kolo Abib Touré
  • Date of birth: 19th March 1981
  • Age: 41 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire
  • Nationality: Ivorian
  • Teams: Manchester, Liverpool, Celctic, and Arsenal
  • Net worth: $10.5 million

Kolo Abib Touré is one of the richest African footballers in 2023. 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.

8. Sadio Mané - $25 million

Who is the current richest African footballer?
Sadio Mane of Liverpool during a training session at Melwood Training Ground in Liverpool, England. Photo: @John Powell/Liverpool FC
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Sadio Mané
  • Date of birth: 10th April 1992
  • Age: 30 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Bambali, Senegal
  • Nationality: Senegalese
  • Team: Bayern Munich
  • Net worth: $25 million

Sadio Mané's net worth as of 2023 is $25 million, making him one of the top 10 richest African footballers. He plays for Liverpool, a Premier League club. His annual salary is 5 million GBP.

Before joining Liverpool, he was signed with the Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg, Ligue 2 club Metz, and Southampton. He also plays for the Senegal national team.

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
  • Nationality: Ghanaian
  • Teams: Chelsea, Sabail, AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Persib Bandung
  • Net worth: $35 million

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

10 richest african footballers
Emmanuel Adebayor on the field. Photo: @contrast/Boris Streubel/ullstein bild via Getty Images
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor
  • Date of birth: 26th February 1984
  • Age: 38 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Lomé, Togo
  • Nationality: Togolese
  • Team: AC Semassi FC
  • Net worth: $45 million

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. He is now retired. Did you know his nickname was Baby Kanu because of his close resemblance to Nwankwo Kanu? Sheyi 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: 35 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Jos, Nigeria
  • Nationality: Nigerian
  • Team: Lyn
  • Net worth: $45 million

John Obi Mikel's net worth is $45 million as of 2023. He 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.

4. Yaya Touré Gnégnéri - $70 million

top ten richest african footballers in 2022
Yaya Toure attends the children's workshop at Mediterraneo Bio Cluster in Milan, Italy. Photo: @Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Gnégnéri Yaya Touré
  • Date of birth: 13th May 1983
  • Age: 39 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire
  • Nationality: Ivorian
  • Team: Manchester City F.C.
  • Net worth: $70 million

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

richest African footballers
Mo Salah attends the Earthshot Prize 2021 at Alexandra Palace in London, England. Photo: @Samir Hussein/WireImage
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly
  • Date of birth: 15th June 1992
  • Age: 30 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Nagrig, Egypt
  • Nationality: Egyptian
  • Team: Liverpool
  • Net worth: $90 million

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

richest african footballers in 2022
Didier Drogba poses for a photograph as he arrives for The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in London. Photo: @Adrian DENNIS / AFP
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Didier Yves Drogba Tébily
  • Date of birth: 11th March 1978
  • Age: 44 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
  • Nationality: Ivorian
  • Teams: Chelsea, Marseille, Montreal Impact, and Galatasaray
  • Net worth: $90 million

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: 41 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Douala, Cameroon
  • Nationality: Cameroonian
  • Team: Barcelona and Chelsea
  • Net worth: $95 million

Samuel Eto'o Fils is the richest footballer in Africa in 2023. 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 Fils

$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

Sadio Mané

$25 million

9

Kolo Abib Touré

$10.5 million

10

Nwankwo Kanu

$9 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 African footballer in 2023?

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 are drawn from various countries on the continent. Most started their careers in local clubs before moving to the globally-known ones.

READ ALSO: Ranking the 20 best ice skaters of all time: Figure skating at its best

Sportsbrief.com recently published a list of the best ice skaters of all time. Figure skating began in 3,000 BCE 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.

Authors
Ciku Njuguna photo
Ciku Njuguna
SEO Editor
Cyprine Apindi photo
Cyprine Apindi