Who are the best African players in the world in 2021. The second most populous continent on earth has produced some stars in the game in the 21st century . From George Weah, to Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, Jay Jay Okocha and Kanu Nwankwo, the list goes on.
In almost every football team in Europe, an African player has been pivotal to their history. We have followed that vein and line of thought, and have compiled an updated list of the best African players in 2021.
Best African Players 2021
10. Ismaël Bennacer
One of the most gifted central midfielders in football, AC Milan’s Ismael Bennacer had already played in three of the top 5 Leagues in the world before the age of 22.
The Algerian is one of the best tackler, best interceptor and best dribbler in the Serie A, ranking on each chart in at least two seasons.
9. Edmond Tapsoba
Despite not playing organised football until the age of 14, Tapsoba has already garnered comparisons with German legend, Jerome Boateng, before the age of 22. The Bayer Leverkusen man is known for his passing, tackling, blocking and elite concentration that has assured him a place in one of the best teams in Germany.
He is the most progressive defender in the Bundesliga, always looking for a forward pass when with the ball. This has earned him the trust of his teammates who are always keen to put the ball at his feet, as he has made the most touches in the whole division.
8. Bono
Sevilla’s Bono has had an amazing campaign that has unveiled him not just as the best goalkeeper in Spain, but arguably the best in the world. With a better save percentage than any other player in the world, Bono surely has a case to vie for that crown.
He also boasts the highest clean sheet percentage, which leaves him as the only goalkeeper on this list of best African players.
7. Achraf Hakimi
The best full-back out of Africa, Inter Milan’s Achraf Hakimi is so good that he is erroneously mistaken for a forward. With goal contribution entering double figures, Hakimi is now proven in over three top leagues before the age of 22.
He ranks top 10 in most creative players in the Serie A as well as dribbles, an incredible achievement for any defender.
6. Kalidou Koulibaly
As good as Virgil Van Dijk has been over the past few years, he has been placed on the same pedestal as Napoli Senegalese brickwall, Kalidou Koulibaly. The 29-year-old is one of the few defenders that have climbed the podium of the CAF Awards which honours the best African players.
In 2019/20, Koulibaly had one of the highest one-on-one tackling rate in world football.
5. Franck Kessie
An hybrid of an astute defensive midfielder and a creative attacking midfielder, Cote d’Ivoire’s Franck Kessie is the complete modern central midfielder.
The AC Milan man has registered goals in double figures despite playing at the centre of the pitch. Along with that, he has added more assists to his game, as his side promisingly contested for the Italian title before missing out to rivals Internazionale.
Despite playing so deep, no player in Italy has won more penalty kicks than the Ivorian. He is also one of the best tackler in the division, and has made the 4th most successful dribbles. Kessie has an effective passing ability, that has seen him split defences with through balls a considerable number of times
4. Wilfred Ndidi
The best midfielder on the continent, Leicester City’s midfielder is also the only out-and-out defensive midfielder on this list of best African players. Ndidi is one of the most consistent players in the world, featuring on the interception and the tackling charts in every season in England.
Still only 24, Ndidi is rated as one of the best DMs in the world, and is arguably the best in his position in the Premier League.
3. Sadio Mane
A player capable of playing anywhere across the frontline, deft with both feet and good in the air. Sadio Mane is arguably the most versatile player on the continent.
The 29-year-old is the second most valuable player on the continent, one of just two African players, alongside Mohammed Salah, to be worth over €100 million. Mane’s performances have come under scrutiny, with experts, viewers and pundits criticising his goal return. But a blip in form is no criterion to judge a player of the Senegalese’s quality.
2. Mohammed Salah
Mohammed Salah has been so consistent since his move to Liverpool that scoring 19 goals and winning the golden boot in 2020 was considered a regression.
The Egyptian star has scored a minimum of 19 league goals and over 20 in all competitions in all of his seasons with the Reds. The most valuable African player in the world, Salah just misses out on the best African player title.
1. Riyad Mahrez
The best right-winger in the Premier League as well as the best African player is Algerian captain, Riyad Mahrez. In an affluent city squad filled with some of the best players in football, the left-footed man is the highest scoring attacker for the club.
Despite the constant rotation and fierce competition for places in the Premier League , the 30-year-old has maintained a top level consistency that has seen him contribute double figures in goals and assists in all but one season in his top-flight career.
Best African Players 2021
10. Ismaël Bennacer
9. Edmond Tapsoba
8. Bono
7. Achraf Hakimi
6. Kalidou Koulibaly
5. Franck Kessie
4. Wilfred Ndidi
3. Sadio Mane
2. Mohammed Salah
1. Riyad Mahrez
