The 7 Richest African Footballers 2024

Here is a list of the richest African footballers as of 2024 estimated based on their current earnings for the different clubs they play for.

In recent times, African footballers have begun to receive what many have categorized as a reward for their talent and hard work, which is why many have attained the status of being amongst the richest players in the world today (2024).

Many footballers have continued to represent Africa on the biggest stages in recent times. The valuation of African footballers has continued to witness a rapid increase as the years progress. This increase in the valuation of these players has also translated into the wages they receive, which is why the highest-paid African footballer for 2024 walks home with at least 800,000 pounds in recent times.

This is a huge shift compared to previous years of football activities on the continent and the calibre of players that were produced in the past. Many had not earned as they should have for their immense talent which is why football on a global stage for African players in recent times would always be celebrated.

With this in mind, we compiled a list of the richest African footballers for the year 2024 based on their current earnings at different club sides.

With this in mind, we have compiled a list of the highest-earning or paid African footballers for the year 2024.

Who is the richest African player in 2024?

1. Riyad Mahrez - Al-Ahli- £858,944

Riyad Mahrez, a former Manchester City winger and the current captain of the Algerian national team, has become the highest-paid African football player in the year 2024. The 32-year-old athlete claimed this title after sealing a whopping £30 million transfer deal from Manchester City to Saudi Pro League's Al Ahli, where he currently plays.

Having spent five years at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, Mahrez's move to Al Ahli has undoubtedly been a game-changer for his career. In his new team, Mahrez is reportedly earning close to £1 million per week, which is by far the highest paycheck he has ever received.

With his incredible skills and experience on the field, Mahrez has been delivering impressive performances. Within his first 20 games for Al-Ahli, he has managed to score nine goals and record seven assists, which is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.

Sadio Mane – Al-Nassr – £658,194-a-week

Sadio Mane is one of the highest-paid footballers after his move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Having left Bayern Munich after a brief stint. He’s a major star and a well-known figure, exactly what the Saudi Pro League was eager to attract during the summer transfer window.

Like many others, he moved to Saudi Arabia for a substantial financial offer. Currently, only one African player earns more per week than him, and that’s Mahrez, a former Premier League star who also joined the Saudi Pro League last summer.

Kalidou Koulibaly – Al-Hilal – £570,984-a-week

Kalidou Koulibaly secured a lucrative deal with Al-Hilal after leaving Chelsea in 2023. Known as one of the best defenders of his generation, Koulibaly's move to Saudi Arabia came after a mixed season in the Premier League with Chelsea.

After only one season at Stamford Bridge, he moved to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, securing a staggering £570,984 a week. While it's debatable whether the 32-year-old merits such a massive wage, he has undoubtedly played a key role in helping his team build a commanding lead in the league, making a title win at the season's end seem very likely.

Mohamed Salah – Liverpool – £350,000-a-week

Mohamed Salah remains a key figure at Liverpool, with a contract that places him among the highest earners in the Premier League.

Liverpool has greatly benefitted from Salah’s contributions in recent years, and it’s difficult to envision the club achieving the same level of success without his arrival in 2017.

Amid significant interest from other clubs looking to lure him away, Liverpool rewarded him with a lucrative £350,000-a-week contract in the summer of 2022. Given his outstanding performances this season, that decision has proven to be the right one.

Seko Fofana – Al-Nassr – £250,114-a-week

Seko Fofana joined Al-Nassr from RC Lens, where he had been a standout performer in Ligue 1. His £250,114-a-week wage. Fofana, known for his midfield versatility and dynamic play, is part of Al-Nassr’s effort to build a competitive squad capable of challenging for titles.

The midfielder hasn’t enjoyed the same level of success in Saudi Arabia as he did in France, and after just half a season with Al-Nassr, he’s been loaned out to Al-Ettifaq, another Saudi Pro League club.

Achraf Hakimi – PSG – £239,418-a-week

Achraf Hakimi is one of the highest-earning defenders in the world, with PSG rewarding him for his performances as a key right-back.

Hakimi is widely regarded as one of the most skilled full-backs in the world, and it is of no surprise that he receives a huge paycheck at PSG given the fact that he continues to attract the interests of other clubs in Europe. His resume features some of the biggest names in European football. After beginning at Real Madrid, a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund helped him establish himself as an elite player.

Following a standout season at Inter Milan, Hakimi thrived in Italy before making a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. Since then, the Moroccan international has been one of PSG's top performers in Ligue 1.

Franck Kessié – Al-Ahli – £230,368-a-week

Franck Kessié made a high-profile switch from Barcelona to Al-Ahli in 2023. The Ivory Coast international rose to prominence at AC Milan before making the switch to Barcelona in the summer of 2022. However, his stint in Spain was challenging, and after just a year, he transferred to Al-Ahli, where he now earns a substantial salary. He's been performing well enough to justify his earnings.

Who is the highest-earning African goalkeeper?

Edouard Mendy

Club: Al-Ahli

Weekly Wage: £181,003

Annual Salary:  £9 million

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is the highest-paid goalkeeper as of 2024, the Senegal number one who currently plays in the Saudi Pro League for Al Ahli earns as much as 181,000 pounds per week for the Arab side.

Who is the richest Nigerian footballer?

Club: Napoli on loan to Galatasaray

Weekly Wage: £211,000

Annual Salary: £11 million

Following his new contract extension with Napoli, Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen earns 211,000 pounds per week at the Serie A side making him the highest-paid Nigerian player in the year 2024 and the 8th highest-earning African player on the list.

Although he is currently on loan to Galatasaray, Osimhen's salary structure still remains the same with Napoli paying 30% out of his wages.

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