The top 10 richest African footballers in 2023

Football is one of the world’s most popular sports, and with good reason. The action is both thrilling and suspenseful, and there’s always a chance for a comeback. But who are the richest African footballers in 2022? And what are their net worths? Read on to find out.

1. Samuel Eto’o Fils

Samuel Eto’o Fils is a Cameroonian professional footballer who currently plays for Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala and the Cameroon national team. He has also played for Marseille, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, among other clubs. Eto’o has made over 300 appearances in the UEFA Champions League, and was named the 2008–09 FIFA World Player of the Year. In 2015, he was voted into the FIFA 100 list of the greatest living footballers by former international captains and experts. As an African player, his journey in Europe has been one full of triumphs, but he’s never forgotten where he comes from. That’s why Samuel Etoso Fils net worth stands at an estimated $90 million dollars as of 2019.

2. Didier Yves Drogba Tébily

Didier Yves Drogba Tébily is a retired Ivorian professional footballer who played as a striker for English club Chelsea and the Ivory Coast national team. He is regarded as one of the best strikers in the history of the game, and was named PFA Footballer of the Year twice. Drogba has also been involved in business ventures, including ownership of several businesses in France. In this article, we will take a look at Didier Yves Drogba Tébily’s business career and see how it has helped shape his personal brand.

Nicknamed the ‘African King’, Didier Drogba has a net worth of about $90 million. He has also appeared on lists of the world richest football player in 2022.

3. Yaya Touré

Yaya Touré is a retired Ivorian professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He made his international debut in 2000 and has since represented his country at two African Cup of Nations tournaments and at the 2006 World Cup, where he scored the winning goal in the last minute of extra time against Italy to give Ivory Coast their first ever World Cup victory. Touré has also won five league titles with AS Monaco and Juventus, three domestic cups with Monaco, two with Manchester City, and one with Arsenal. His total net worth is estimated at $70 million.

4. John Mikel Obi

John Mikel Obi is a Nigerian professional footballer who has currently retired from football. He has also represented England at youth level. Mikel Obi’s net worth as of 2019 is $45 million. This makes him one of the most successful African footballers of all time.

5. Emmanuel Adebayor

Emmanuel Adebayor is one of the most decorated African footballers, with a total of 56 caps and 20 goals for the national team. His net worth is estimated at $45 million.

The son of a shoe-maker from Togo, Adebayor started playing football at an early age and joined local club Al-Ain while still in primary school. He then moved to France to play for Metz, Monaco, and Arsenal before transferring to Manchester City in 2008 for a record transfer fee of £25 million.

Adebayor has been involved in several high-profile incidents during his career, including two domestic violence charges (which were later dropped) and an altercation with then-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger which resulted in Adebayor being fined and suspended for three games. In November 2016, he was released by Manchester City after just one season with the club.

Adebayor has been married to Toni since 2009; they have two children.

6. Gervinho

Gervinho is a professional footballer who plays for Roma and the Ivory Coast national team. He has also played for Monaco, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in England. Gervinho has made over 150 appearances for his country, scoring 39 goals.

Gervinho was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast in 1988. At the age of 15 he started playing football with BBC Yamoussoukro before moving to Clermont Foot Auvergne of Ligue 1 in France in 2003. After impressing at Clermont Foot Auvergne, Gervinho moved to Ligue 2 side Olympique Lyonnais in 2006 where he would stay for two seasons before moving back to France and joining AS Roma on a five-year deal worth €8 million (£6 million).

Gervinho has had a few stints in England with Arsenal (2006-2008), Monaco (2009-2010) and Tottenham Hotspur (2011-2014). He joined Roma on a permanent basis in January 2014 after being deemed surplus to requirements at Spurs. In total, Gervinho has scored 39 goals for his country, making him one of the most prolific African footballers of all time. His vast transfer fees have seen him amass an impressive net worth of £22 million ($30 million).

7. Michael Essien

Michael Essien is a retired Ghanaian professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He is the all-time leading goalscorer for the Ghana national team, with 38 goals in 111 appearances. Essien also holds the record for most international caps for Ghana, With a net worth of about $35 million.

After beginning his career at Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, Essien moved to Premier League side Chelsea in 2003 for $35 million. He helped Chelsea win two league titles and the FA Cup during his six-year stay at the club. After leaving Chelsea in 2007, Essien joined Spanish side Real Madrid, where he won two La Liga titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy. After one season with Madrid, Essien joined Turkish side Galatasaray in 2008. He spent three seasons with Galatasaray before retiring from professional football in 2012.

Essien has been capped 116 times by Ghana and scored 38 goals. He was part of the team that reached the 2002 World Cup Final, where they lost to Brazil 1–0 after extra time. In total, he made 111 appearances for Ghana and scored 20 goals. Following his retirement from professional football, Essien began work as a coach at Spanish club Getafe CF under manager Zinedine Zidane.

8. Salomon Armand Kalou

Salomon Armand Kalou is a professional football player who currently plays for Lille in the Ligue 1. He has also played for Chelsea, Arsenal, and Crystal Palace, among other clubs. Born in Ivory Coast in 1988, Salomon Armand Kalou signed with French club Le Mans at the age of 16. After two seasons with Le Mans, he joined Lille in 2006. He has since made more than 200 appearances for the club and is currently one of their most valuable players. Salomon Armand Kalou’s net worth is estimated to be around $24 million.

9. Kolo Abib Touré

Kolo Abib Touré is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for English club Liverpool. He also represents Senegal in international football. Touré has amassed a net worth of $15 million over the course of his career. He has also been awarded with numerous accolades, including the Premier League’s Players’ Player of the Year and the African Footballer of the Year.

10. Nwankwo Kanu

Nwankwo Kanu is a retired Nigerian football player who played as a striker. He is currently worth an estimated $6 million. Kanu started his career with Eagles in Nigeria before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in France in 2001. He continued his career with Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, retiring at the age of 36. Kanu scored over 150 goals in 350 appearances for his country and lifted three Africa Cup of Nations trophies.