Top 5 Best Players In Africa Right Now
African football has never been short of world-class talent, and the 2024–25 season once again highlighted the continent’s brightest stars making their mark across Europe’s top leagues.
Top 5 Best Players In Africa Right Now
From decisive goals in title races to history-making performances on the grandest stages, Africa’s best players have continued to inspire and dominate. This list looks at the top five African footballers right now, based on what they achieved last season and the impact they had on their clubs and countries.
1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah continues to set the benchmark for African players in Europe. Last season he was at the heart of Liverpool’s return to the top, driving the team to the Premier League title with his relentless energy and decisive contributions. What made Salah’s campaign stand out wasn’t just his goals, but his all-round influence on matches. He was named Premier League Player of the Season, Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year, and Liverpool’s own Player of the Season once again. Beyond the accolades, Salah managed to achieve the rare feat of topping both the scoring and assist charts in the league, proving his dual threat as a creator and finisher. His peers recognized his brilliance too, voting him the PFA Players’ Player of the Year. Season after season, Salah finds a way to add new achievements to his career, reaffirming his place as one of Africa’s greatest exports to the game.
2. Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
Achraf Hakimi enjoyed what can only be described as a historic season with Paris Saint-Germain. The Moroccan full-back was vital as PSG not only retained the Ligue 1 title and lifted the Coupe de France, but also went on to achieve their long-awaited dream of winning the UEFA Champions League. His tireless running, defensive strength, and attacking thrust from the flank gave PSG balance and dynamism in the biggest games. Hakimi’s individual quality did not go unnoticed, as he won the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé, the award for the best African player in Ligue 1. He was also named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year, a reflection of his consistency across the campaign. Winning a treble and being crowned the league’s top African player put Hakimi’s name firmly among the elite, showing that he has grown into one of the most influential right-backs in world football.
3. Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)
For Serhou Guirassy, last season marked the moment when he truly arrived at the top level of European football. Leading Borussia Dortmund’s attack, he became their most reliable source of goals and thrived in high-pressure situations. His performances in the Champions League were particularly memorable, as he topped the group stage scoring charts and produced a stunning hat-trick against Barcelona in the knockout rounds. Guirassy’s goals helped Dortmund to push deep into Europe while keeping them competitive domestically, and his consistency meant he finished the campaign with an impressive overall tally across competitions. What stands out about Guirassy is how quickly he transformed into one of the most feared strikers in Europe, moving from being relatively unheralded to becoming the focal point of Dortmund’s attack. His rise has also brought renewed attention to Guinean football, as he continues to inspire both club and country.
4. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
Victor Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray turned into a resounding success, with the Nigerian striker spearheading the Turkish giants to a memorable double. Galatasaray secured the Süper Lig title and the Turkish Cup, with Osimhen playing a decisive role throughout the campaign. His relentless drive and eye for goal made him unstoppable in the league, and he ended up breaking a 24-year record to become the highest-scoring foreign player in a single Galatasaray season. Recognition of his impact came in the form of the Süper Lig Player of the Season award, underlining just how vital he was to his club’s dominance. Beyond the goals, Osimhen’s presence gave Galatasaray a cutting edge in attack, and his achievements have cemented his reputation as one of the most complete African forwards in the game today. His time in Turkey has added another glorious chapter to an already impressive career.
5. Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
Ademola Lookman enjoyed a season that redefined his career and raised his profile to new heights. The Nigerian winger was the hero of Atalanta’s Europa League triumph, scoring a sensational hat-trick in the final to secure the club’s first ever European trophy. His brilliance in that match alone would have been enough to etch his name in Atalanta’s history, but his consistency across the campaign earned him further recognition. Lookman was voted Atalanta’s Player of the Season, and on the continental stage, he was crowned the CAF Men’s Player of the Year. Winning Africa’s most prestigious individual football award capped off a season where he not only delivered for his club but also carried the hopes of a continent. Lookman’s ability to deliver on the biggest occasions has made him one of the standout African footballers of this era, with last season firmly establishing him among the elite.
