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Africa has emerged as a hotbed for incredible footballing talent and we're familiar with several world-class players from across the continent. Several African players have left an indelible mark on the game. Players like Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o, George Weah, Roger Milla, Jay-Jay Okocha are a few examples.
Even today, there is a plethora of African players plying their trade in Europe's top 5 leagues. Economic fragility has curtailed the development of football at grassroots levels in Africa. But national teams from across the continent are quickly gaining ground on their contemporaries in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the best African players in world football right now.
#5 Kalidou Koulibaly - Senegal/Napoli
Just a couple of seasons back, Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly was the most sought-after defender in the world. He has been a rock at the back for the Partenopei and Napoli have made it clear to the world that they are not willing to part with him.
He has been consistently linked with Premier League giants like Manchester United and Manchester City. Koulibaly is a great example of a modern centre-back. He is strong and aggressive and can dominate aerial duels. Koulibaly is also technically gifted and is good with the ball at his feet.
He is an intelligent player and is adept at reading the game and making interceptions for his side. Koulibaly has also been crucial to Napoli's play-out-from-the-back system thanks to his elegant passing abilities.
#4 Sadio Mane - Senegal/Liverpool
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane would have been higher up the list had this list been compiled last year. Mane had a rather underwhelming 2020-21 season by his own standards but he showcased great form towards the end of the campaign.
Sadio Mane has been one of the best signings made by Liverpool in recent times. Mane is technically gifted and possesses blistering pace. He is a tricky winger who can operate on either flank and is a tireless worker as well.
Mane was a central figure in Liverpool's Champions League triumph in the 2018-19 season and their Premier League triumph in the 2019-20 season. He scored 16 goals and provided nine assists in 48 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool this past season.
#3 Achraf Hakimi - Morocco
Achraf Hakimi is one of the best full-backs in the game right now. The Moroccan international rose through the ranks at Real Madrid's academy and broke into the first-team setup in 2017. However, he couldn't displace Dani Carvajal from the starting XI and was shipped out to Borussia Dortmund on loan for the 2019-20 season.
Hakimi was a revelation of sorts at Dortmund, scoring nine goals and providing 10 assists from right-back. Although fans wanted him to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid sold him to Inter Milan for €40 million. Hakimi kicked on in the same vein for the Nerazzurri and was one of the standout performers in their 2020-21 Serie A triumph.
He scored seven goals and provided 11 assists in 45 matches across all competitions in his debut season for Inter Milan. According to reports, he is all set to join Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the new season for a figure in the ballpark of €70 million.
#2 Riyad Mahrez - Algeria/Manchester City
Manchester City were one of the most impressive sides in the 2020-21 season. They won the Premier League and the Carabao Cup. They also made it to the final of the Champions League and the semi-final of the FA Cup. What's even more impressive is the fact that they didn't have a proper striker all throughout the campaign.
Sergio Aguero was sidelined for the majority of the season and Gabriel Jesus did not play to his usual standards. So City had to look elsewhere for inspiration and Mahrez provided plenty from the right wing.
Mahrez is one of the most elegant football players on the planet. He can slalom past defenders with the grace of a ballerina and score some absolute peaches. The 30-year-old was one of Manchester City's best players in the 2020-21 season.
He scored 14 goals and provided nine assists in 48 matches across all competitions for Pep Guardiola's side this past term.
#1 Mohamed Salah - Egypt/Liverpool
Mohamed Salah has been Liverpool's most consistent performer over the last four years. One of the fastest wingers in the world, Salah is also great with the ball at his feet and can find the back of the net no matter how cramped he might be for room.
The 29-year-old broke the record for most goals scored in a 38-game Premier League season in his debut campaign with Liverpool. He scored 32 goals in the English top-flight that season. He has already won the Premier League Golden Boot twice and finished second in the race in the 2020-21 season.
Salah scored 31 goals and provided six assists from 51 appearances across all competitions this past season. He is also arguably the greatest Egyptian player of all time and guided his national side to World Cup qualification in 2018.
