The highest-earning African footballers set new salary records in 2025, led by Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mané and Victor Osimhen
The highest-earning African footballers continued their record-breaking ascent this year as Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly topped a new global salary ranking analysed by Billionaires.Africa using Capology data.
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Mahrez, the Al-Ahli winger and former Manchester City star, led the list with a weekly salary of €931,316, reaffirming his position as one of the continent’s most influential players.
Sadio Mané followed with €753,846 per week at Al-Nassr, where the Senegal forward has combined elite performance with a strong philanthropic footprint.
Kalidou Koulibaly, captain of Senegal and a defensive mainstay at Al-Hilal, earned €654,038 per week in a year that strengthened his leadership credentials.
The ranking also highlighted Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, whose €512,885 weekly pay at Galatasaray underscored his resurgence after a turbulent summer.
Analysts said Osimhen’s form has reignited interest from major European clubs seeking a powerful and clinical forward.
Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessié, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy also featured prominently.
Their earnings reflected the shifting financial power in global football, with Saudi clubs in particular driving substantial investment in elite African talent.
Rising Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush secured a spot following his high-profile move to Manchester City, while Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Ghana’s Iñaki Williams rounded out the list with consistent performances in Europe.
Industry observers described the surge in salaries as a transformative moment for African athletes, many of whom continue to fund community projects and development initiatives across the continent.
Their influence off the pitch remains a compelling part of their global reach, adding a powerful human dimension to their financial success.
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The report noted that Africa’s leading stars now sit among world football’s highest earners, marking a defining chapter in the continent’s sporting evolution.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
