The top 20 richest African footballers are worth a combined $638 million, with the richest having a net worth estimated at close to $100 million.
Africa has produced some of football’s biggest names, with many recognised around the world. The most successful players from the continent won major honours such as the UEFA Champions League, Premier League and more.
However, the richest African footballers have earned their wealth through more than just playing football. Be it coaching, sponsorships or brand endorsements, many players on this list have diversified their incomes to achieve such fortune.
To celebrate some of Africa’s global superstars, we’ve broken down the top 20 richest African footballers and their net worths. With former Premier League stars and some less recognisable names, here are the wealthiest African footballers in 2023.
Who Are The Richest Africans In Football?
In 20th place on this list is Nigerian defender Kenneth Omeruo. The 30-year-old has played for CD Leganes in the Spanish La Liga, and now plays for Turkish outfit Kasimpasa. Once at Chelsea, he failed to make a senior appearance at Stamford Bridge, but has an estimated net worth of $3 million.
Above Omeruo on the list is a more familiar name. Wilfried Zaha spent 12 years with Crystal Palace across two spells at Selhurst Park. Now with Galatasaray, the Ivory Coast international is believed to be worth $4 million.
The first retired player on this list, Suleyman Ali “Sulley” Muntari spent most of his career in Italy. With spells at Serie A sides Udinese, AC Milan and Inter Milan, he earned over 80 caps for Ghana from 2002-2014. His net worth is $5 million.
Another ex-Udinese player, Kwadwo Asamoah is the 17th-richest African footballer. Winning the Confederation of African Football’s Most Promising African player award in 2010, he was also voted Ghana Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013. His net worth is around $6 million.
Christopher Samba spent five years at Blackburn Rovers during his 16-year career. The Congolese defender is worth $7 million. He is followed by former Arsenal, Portsmouth and West Bromwich Albion player Nwankwo Kanu. Kanu finished his career in 2012 at Fratton Park and has a net worth of $9 million.
Which Touré Brother Is Worth More?
A familiar name for Premier League fans, Kolo Touré won the title with Manchester City in 2012. With spells at Arsenal, Celtic and Liverpool, the Ivorian defender has a $10.5 million net worth. However, his younger brother Yaya features much higher on this list.
It may be surprising to learnt that former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou is still playing football. The 38-year-old spent six years at Stamford Bridge before joining Lille in 2012, but still turns out for AS Arta Solar 7 in his native Djibouti. His net worth is $11 million, making him the 13th-richest African footballer.
Bolton Wanderers legend Jay-Jay Okocha dazzled fans throughout his career. Retiring at EFL Championship side Hull City in 2008, the two-time BBC African Footballer of the year is worth approximately $15 million.
Coming in at 11th on the list, Benni McCarthy previously played for clubs such as West Ham, Ajax, Porto and Blackburn. Now a coach at Manchester United, his net worth is $16 million.
The 10 Richest African Footballers
Breaking into the top ten richest African footballers is Senegal forward Sadio Mané. The former Southampton and Liverpool man now plies his trade in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr – earning around £650,000 a week. His net worth is believed to be somewhere close to $25 million.
In 2021, Mané was crowned Man of the Competition as he helped Senegal to their first Africa Cup of Nations title.
The Senegalese Magician 🪄
Sadio Mané is crowned TotalEnergies Man of the Competition after his over-the-top performance with the Lions of Teranga 🇸🇳#TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/8jowC3Bgjr
— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 6, 2022
Victor Moses pips Mané to ninth spot, though. The Nigerian winger is now at Russian club Spartak Moscow, having played for a host of English sides. The former Liverpool, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and West Ham man is worth $27 million.
Less well-known is former Ghana national team captain Asamoah Gyan. Having represented his side at three World Cups, he retired as the highest-scoring African player in the tournament’s history, with six. Gyan has a net worth of $30 million.
Another Chelsea star of old, Michael Essien is seventh on the list of richest African footballers. Essien accumulated his $35 million net worth during a career that included spells with AC Milan and Real Madrid.
A Premier League pantomime villain, Emmanuel Adebayor’s iconic celebration against former club Arsenal will always be remembered. The striker sprinted the length of the field to celebrate his goal for Manchester City in front of the Gunners fans in 2009. Since then, he has amassed a fortune worth $45 million.
“I wasn’t going to stand there, listening to five thousand people insult my family."
– Emmanuel Adebayor on that celebration. pic.twitter.com/aSy33xGABw
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) November 17, 2017
Also worth $45 million is yet another ex-Chelsea man, Mikel John Obi. The 36-year-old retired in 2021 at Stoke City having played 91 times for Nigeria.
It’s a big jump to the next man on our list. Yaya Touré, younger brother of Kolo, is worth $70 million. Now an assistant coach for the Saudi Arabian national team, Touré played for AS Monaco, Barcelona and Manchester City.
What Is Mohamed Salah’s Net Worth?
We’re now into the top three richest African footballers. Third place belongs to Liverpool’s Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah. The 30-year-old is still a key player for the Premier League side, and is one goal away from his 200th for the club. His net worth is estimated around $90 million.
Salah’s wage is £350,000 a week on his current Liverpool deal, but earns closer to £1 million in a week. Thanks to sponsorships, image rights deals and other endorsements, Salah’s agent revealed to The Guardian that he actually makes up to £53 million per year before tax.
Just above Salah, with a net worth also believed to be near $90 million, is Didier Drogba. Drogba was a Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2012, and was known for his deadly finishing. With more than 100 goals for the Blues across two spells with, he is a legend to Chelsea fans and regarded amongst the best attackers to ever play in the Premier League.
Who Is The Richest African Footballer?
But top of the list and the richest African Footballer in the world is Samuel Eto’o. The former Cameroon international spent most of his career at the top of European club football. Having played for Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea, it’s no shock to see Eto’o in top spot.
Now 42 years old, he retired with Qatari outfit Qatar SC in 2019. In 2011, Eto’o joined Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, earning £350,000 per week. At the time, he was the highest paid footballer in the world. With a net worth of $95 million, he is the richest African footballer in history.
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