Africa is a continent blessed with incredible footballing talent. Thanks to players like Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, Africa has been put firmly on the footballing map – and the big clubs are starting to take notice. Recently, Liverpool and Sadio Mane agreed on a new long-term contract set to keep the Senegalese winger with the Reds until 2023.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the five richest African footballers. While you might get a bit jealous at the huge amount of cash these guys have brought in over their career, keep in mind just how amazing each of these players were.
5. Nwankwo Kanu
Image source: Sky.com
Net worth: $100 million (NGN 36 billion)
Current club: Retired
Kanu had an incredible career which included stints at Inter Milan, Arsenal and Portsmouth. He won both the African Footballer of the Year award and the BBC African Footballer of the Year award twice. While Kanu may never have lifted the African Cup of Nations trophy, he did manage to win the English Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League – not a bad group of trophies to have in your trophy cabinet!
4. Jay-Jay Okocha
Image source: Goal.com
Net worth: $150 million (NGN 54 billion)
Current club: Retired
Former Nigerian international footballer, Jay-Jay Okocha, was a key member of arguably the best Nigerian football team – the “Dream Team”. With the 1996 Dream Team, Okocha played an integral part of the team’s gold medal win at the Atlanta Olympic Games. He was also a popular player in Europe and featured for Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers and Hull City. Okocha won the Nigerian Footballer of the Year award seven times and in 2004, he won the African Cup of Nations Golden Boot and Best Player award.
3. Didier Drogba
Image source: Indianexpress.com
Net worth: $155 million (NGN 55 billion)
Current Club: Retired in 2018 (Phoenix Rising)
Didier Drogba is known all over the world. He has had a stellar career which just recently came to an end. Having played for huge clubs like Marseille, Chelsea and finally Phoenix Rising before calling time on his career, Drogba was known for his pace both on and off the ball, and his ability to pull a goal out of nowhere, often at a time when his team really needed it. Drogba has won both the African Footballer of the Year award and the Premier League Golden Boot twice. While he might have retired, there is no doubt that Didier Drogba will continue to have a massive impact on football, especially as a part owner of the Phoenix Rising.
2. Yaya Toure
Image source: USAtoday.com
Net worth: $170 million (NGN 61 billion)
Current club: Olympiakos
Younger brother to Kolo Toure, Yaya first made a name for himself when he was 18 years old and caught the eye of football scouts while playing for his first club, ASEC Mimosas. He has featured for clubs like Monaco, Manchester City and Barcelona. He currently plays in the midfield for Olympiakos in Greece. His strength in the midfield and ability to create big plays at crucial times has earned Yaya Toure the African Footballer of the Year award four times.
1. Samuel Eto’o
Image source: Borgenmagazine.com
Net worth: $260 million (NGN 72 billion)
Current club: Qatar SC
It seems like Samuel Eto’o has been around forever. The 37 year old striker has played for some huge clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Barcelona. He is currently the African footballer with the highest net worth and there is no doubt as to how deserving he is. Eto’o scored over 100 goals for Barcelona and has won the African Player of the Year Award on four separate occasions. While his career might be coming to an end, Eto’o will forever be remembered as a footballing legend who dazzled fans and opponents alike with his ability on the ball.
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