Top 10 richest footballers in Africa 2023: Cameroon football boss leads, Salah ranks second

Professional footballers are widely recognized for their lucrative careers, and Africa has produced many players who have reached the highest levels of the sport. A number of stars from the continent have built successful careers in major leagues around the world, earning significant income through both their performances on the pitch and activities beyond football.

In addition to their salaries, many African players have expanded their wealth through business ventures, investments, and commercial partnerships. Over time, several of them have developed strong personal brands and gained global recognition comparable to their European counterparts.

In this article, soccer24.net presents the top 10 richest footballers in Africa 2023, ranking the continent’s wealthiest players based on their estimated net worth.

Top 10 richest footballers in Africa 2023: Cameroon legend leads the ranking, Salah comes second

With an estimated net worth of around 95 million dollars, Samuel Eto’o is widely considered the richest footballer in Africa. The former striker from Cameroon is now active off the pitch as a football administrator and currently serves as president of the Cameroon Football Federation.

Although his playing career has long ended and his football income has naturally declined, Eto’o continues to generate significant wealth through various business interests. Over the years, he has invested heavily in real estate and owns several residential and commercial properties in Cameroon as well as abroad. His portfolio reportedly includes a luxury residence in Paris and a property in Portofino, Italy, valued at about 20 million dollars. He has also expanded into the hospitality sector with investments in hotels and restaurants.

Away from football and business, Eto’o is also known for his passion for luxury sports cars and has owned several high end models throughout the years.

During his playing days, Eto’o was regarded as one of the finest strikers in world football and remains one of the greatest players Africa has ever produced. His reputation grew further after joining FC Barcelona in 2004, where he scored 130 goals in five seasons and established himself as one of the most influential African players to compete in La Liga.

Just behind Samuel Eto’o on the list is Mohamed Salah, whose net worth is estimated at around 90 million dollars. The Egyptian forward remains the highest paid player at Liverpool and is also among the top earners in the Premier League.

Salah’s salary at Anfield is reported to be about £400,000 per week, which equals roughly 20.8 million dollars per year. When bonuses and performance related incentives are added, his total football income is believed to reach around 35 million dollars annually. As of April 2023, he is considered the highest paid African footballer in the world.

Beyond his club earnings, Salah has secured several major endorsement deals. Long term partnerships with global brands such as Adidas, Pepsi and Vodafone have made him one of the most recognizable football figures in international advertising campaigns.

On the pitch, Salah’s impact at Liverpool has been historic. Known for his pace, dribbling ability and clinical finishing, he is widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation and among the greatest African footballers of all time. He has also surpassed Robbie Fowler to become Liverpool’s leading scorer in Premier League history.

His individual achievements continue to grow. Salah made history by winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award three times, more than any other player. During the 2024/25 season, he added another remarkable milestone by finishing as the Premier League’s top scorer and top assist provider while also being voted Player of the Season by fans, pundits and fellow professionals.

Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mané also appears on the list with an estimated net worth of around 20 million dollars. Beyond his achievements in football, the Senegalese star is widely respected for his charitable work.

Mané has invested heavily in his hometown of Bambali, funding a modern hospital that serves dozens of nearby villages and donating about £250,000 to build a secondary school. He also regularly rewards outstanding students with laptops and financial support.

On the pitch, Mané rose to global prominence after joining Liverpool in 2016 for around £34 million. He played a key role in the club’s success, helping the team reach the UEFA Champions League finals in 2018 and 2019 and lifting the trophy in the latter.

Top 10 richest footballers in Africa 2023

Samuel Eto'o - $95 million

Mohamed Salah - $90 million

Didier Drogba - $90 million

Yaya Touré - $70 million

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - $50 million

Mikel Obi - $45 million

Emmanuel Adebayor - $45 million

Michael Essien - $35 million

Victor Moses - $20.6 million

Sadio Mané - $20 million

Soccer24 has listed top 10 richest footballers in Africa 2023.

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