10. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Gabonese takes 10th place in our ranking. The current FC Barcelona forward won the African Ballon d’Or in 2015.
2/10
9. El Hadji Diouf
The African player of the early 2000s is him. Senegal’s flag bearer and twice winner of the African Ballon d’Or in 2001 and 2002.
3/10
8. Emmanuel Adebayor
The Togolese finished in 8th position in our ranking. Performing with Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Real Madrid, Adebayor also managed to bring his country to the World Cup in 2006. He also won the African Golden Ball in 2008.
4/10
7. Riyad Mahrez
Some saw him higher in this TOP 10. But it was ultimately 7th place for Riyad Mahrez who won the CAN with his nation and was also elected African Ballon d’Or in 2016.
5/10
6. Michael Essien
At the gates of the TOP 5, Michael Essien. High class ! If he has neither won the African Golden Ball and the African Cup of Nations, the former Blues midfielder has long been considered one of the best players on the planet in midfield.
6/10
5. Mohamed Salah
In 5th position, Mo Salah. The Egyptian could have been better ranked but the CAN is missing from his list…
7/10
4. Sadio Mane
At the foot of the podium is the Senegalese Sadio Mané. Just titled at the CAN, number 10 is one of the best African players of recent years without question. He carried his nation to the roof of Africa. He was also awarded the African Ballon d’Or in 2019.
8/10
3. Yaya Toure
The ultimate midfielder! Honestly, he could have taken second place. Co-record holder of the number of African Ballon d’Or, and winner of the CAN, the Ivorian was just too strong!
9/10
2. Didier Drogba
On the second step of the podium, we have the great Didier Drogba. So yes, some will say that he did not win the African Cup of Nations, but the former Chelsea striker left his mark on African football and tipped it into another dimension. Twice voted African player of the year.
10/10
1. Samuel Eto’o
And number 1 is… Samuel Eto’o. The Cameroonian is the first in our ranking. Winner twice of the African Cup of Nations, four times African Golden Ball, winner of the Champions League with FC Barcelona and Inter Samuel Eto’o is considered one of the best attackers that the football has known.
It is a debate that agitates the Web. The African continent has always provided many talented players, and has done so for decades. Over the past twenty years, many African players have monopolized the summits and have invited themselves to the table of the greatest in this sport. Faced with this rise in talented players, the editorial staff of Football.fr decided to establish its Top 10 of the best African players of the 21st century.
A podium Eto’o, Drogba and Yaya Touré
Of course, the essentials Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré are present in this Top 10. The Cameroonian and the two Ivorians have left their mark on African football but also on world football, where they have established themselves at some point in their career as the best in their position. The three of them have won ten African Ballons d’Or and three African Cups of Nations
