7 Highest-Paid African Footballers of All Time

Professional footballers in Africa are a set of amazing talents that have been noticed worldwide as a result of their extraordinary abilities. This article is about some of these African players who are the highest-paid. We’ll follow their journeys from starting small to becoming big stars, and we’ll learn what’s helped them succeed in playing and making money. 

These players break stereotypes, inspire others, and show how strong Africa is in soccer. Let’s explore their achievements and see how hard work, talent, and determination have changed their lives and the soccer scene in Africa.

Sadio Mane – $828,000 Per Week

Sadio Mane recently completed a move from Bayern Munich to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, securing a noteworthy £650,000 weekly wage. His contract, set to last until 2027, has the potential to yield around £136 million. Mane’s journey took a turn after joining Bayern last summer for £35 million from Liverpool. Initially, on a three-year deal, his position within the team shifted following an incident in which he punched teammate Leroy Sane post a Champions League defeat to Manchester City in April.

Riyad Mahrez – $613,000 Per Week

Riyad Mahrez recently completed a move from Manchester City to join Saudi club Al Ahli for a significant transfer fee of £30 million. Set to embark on a two-year contract in the desert, Mahrez is poised to earn an extraordinary weekly salary of £750,000. Having made his mark during an impressive five-season stint at the Etihad Stadium, the Algerian football star accumulated over 200 appearances and clinched an impressive tally of four Premier League titles along the way.

Samuel Eto $446,000 per week

During his tenure with Anzhi Makhachkala from 2011 to 2013, former Chelsea player Samuel Eto’o earned an impressive $446,000 per week. Notably, this deal marked him as the highest-paid footballer globally at the time during his time. Eto’o’s remarkable career trajectory continued as he secured a groundbreaking contract with Anzhi. Amidst his spell with Inter Milan, Eto’o reportedly inked a three-year agreement with the Russian team, boasting an astounding annual sum of $29 million. This transition further solidified his legacy as one of the sport’s most impactful and lucratively compensated players.

Kalidou Koulibaly – $668,000 Per Week

Kalidou Koulibaly’s football journey took intriguing turns. Al-Hilal acquired him for £21.5 million from Chelsea after just a year of limited appearances. Napoli then transferred Koulibaly to Chelsea for £34 million, marking a new era under Todd Boehly. His Napoli legacy includes 300+ appearances, four Serie A Team of the Year selections, and Italy’s top defender title in 2019.

Mohammed Salah – $567,000 Per Week

Mohammed Salah, a global standout, has illuminated football representing Liverpool and Egypt. His inaugural season with Liverpool saw an impressive 43 goals, leading to a contract extension at £200,000 weekly. This secured his status as the highest-paid player at Anfield. Salah’s trajectory continues to ascend as he now commands an astonishing £350,000 per week, solidifying his place as one of the Premier League’s top earners.

Cedric Bakumbu- $391,000 Per Week

Cedric Bakambu, a prominent figure in football is also on the list of highest-paid African footballers of all time. His tenure with Beijing Guoan, spanning three years from 2019 to 2021, was particularly notable. Hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bakambu embarked on a remarkable journey, moving to the Chinese Super League’s Beijing Guoan in February 2018 from Villarreal. His transfer fee of £65 million marked him as the most expensive African footballer at the time. With his impressive achievements, Bakambu earns a remarkable £307,000 weekly, underscoring his exceptional skill and value in the world of football.

Edouard Mendy – $368,000 Per Week

Edouard Mendy, a Senegalese goalkeeper of great talent, garnered recognition during his stint at Stade Rennais in Ligue 1. His standout abilities propelled him to a significant move to Chelsea in September 2020. Mendy’s exceptional performances fortified Chelsea’s defense, culminating in a remarkable UEFA Champions League victory in the 2020-2021 season. Recently, the Saudi Pro League’s Al-Ahli made a noteworthy acquisition by securing Mendy’s services. The 31-year-old signed a lucrative three-year contract in Jeddah, with Al-Ahli reportedly paying Chelsea around £16 million for his transfer.