African Player of the Year Power Rankings
African football continues to shine on the global stage, with several stars making their mark in Europe’s biggest leagues.
African Player of the Year Power Rankings 2026
From Mohamed Salah’s continued brilliance in England to Ademola Lookman’s rise in Italy, these players have combined statistics, achievements, and consistency to stand among the very best. Here is a detailed look at the top five African players right now.
1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt)
Mohamed Salah remains the face of African football, and at 33 years old, he continues to deliver world-class performances for Liverpool. In the 2024-25 Premier League season, Salah produced one of his best campaigns, scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists in 38 appearances, totaling an incredible 47 goal contributions. His leadership and consistency were instrumental in Liverpool’s success, and his efforts were recognized globally when he finished fourth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings. Even in the early stages of the 2025-26 season, Salah has already contributed with goals and assists, showing no signs of slowing down. Beyond his numbers, Salah remains Liverpool’s talisman, a player who can change matches with his creativity, pace, and composure in front of goal.
2. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Nigeria)
Victor Osimhen continues to build his reputation as one of the most complete strikers in football. After his successes at Napoli, the Nigerian made a high-profile move to Galatasaray on loan in the 2024-25 season and immediately lit up the Turkish Süper Lig. He scored 26 league goals, finishing as the division’s top scorer, and helped Galatasaray secure the league title. Osimhen also guided the team to victory in the domestic cup, completing a memorable double. His mix of strength, work rate, and clinical finishing allowed him to dominate defenders across Turkey and perform on the European stage as well. With his consistent scoring record, Osimhen remains a key figure for both his club and the Nigerian national team.
3. Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund, Guinea)
Serhou Guirassy’s move to Borussia Dortmund in 2024 marked the start of a new chapter, and he wasted no time becoming a star in Germany. Already known for his goal scoring at Stuttgart, Guirassy elevated his game further, delivering an outstanding 2024-25 campaign. He was especially prolific in the Champions League, scoring 13 goals and setting records for Dortmund on the European stage. In the Bundesliga, he continued his dominance, even netting four goals in a single match against Union Berlin. As the 2025-26 season began, he quickly hit form again, scoring four goals in his first four league appearances. With his finishing ability, aerial power, and composure in pressure moments, Guirassy has firmly placed himself among Europe’s top strikers.
4. Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco)
Achraf Hakimi has established himself as one of the best full-backs in world football, combining defensive strength with attacking flair. In the 2024-25 season, he had the highest G+A of any defender scoring 12 goals and having 15 assists in all competitions, while playing decisive roles in major cup matches. Alongside domestic titles in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, Hakimi’s influence is undeniable. His explosive pace, overlapping runs, and ability to step up in key moments make him a unique weapon for both club and country.
5. Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Nigeria)
Ademola Lookman has risen to become one of Serie A’s most dangerous attackers with Atalanta. In the 2024-25 season, he scored 15 goals in Serie A and around 20 in all competitions, making him one of the team’s most reliable scorers. His defining moment came in the 2024 Europa League final, where he scored a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen to secure Atalanta’s first major European trophy. That performance not only etched his name into Atalanta’s history but also earned him the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award. Lookman’s pace, dribbling, and ability to deliver in big games have made him a standout in Italy, and his influence continues to grow both in club football and with Nigeria’s national team.
