Africa’s biggest football stars continue to rank among the highest earners in the global game, with lucrative contracts from Europe’s elite clubs and the Saudi Pro League driving their impressive weekly salaries.
From long established names like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez to rising talents such as Achraf Hakimi and Omar Marmoush, the latest earnings reflect the growing value of African players on the international stage.
Inaki Williams begins the list in tenth place. The Ghana international reportedly earns £180,707 every week at Athletic Bilbao, where he has built a reputation for consistency, loyalty and remarkable durability. As one of the club’s senior figures, Williams remains central to Bilbao’s plans and is expected to continue his long association with the Spanish side.
Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy occupies the ninth position with a reported weekly salary of £200,044 at Al Ahli. After overcoming difficult early years in his career, Mendy rose to become a UEFA Champions League winner with Chelsea before making the move to Saudi Arabia, where he continues to deliver reliable performances.
Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi sits eighth on the list with an estimated weekly wage of £227,383 at Paris Saint Germain. Having represented clubs including Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan, Hakimi has developed into one of the world’s finest attacking full backs. His speed, creativity and ability to contribute goals continue to make him a vital player for both club and country.
Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie follows in seventh place, earning a reported £233,385 per week at Al Ahli. The powerful midfielder first established himself at AC Milan before enjoying a spell with Barcelona. His strength, energy and all round midfield ability have made him one of the Saudi club’s key performers.
Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush ranks sixth with a reported weekly salary of £295,000 at Manchester City. After attracting widespread attention during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt, Marmoush completed a move to the Premier League champions, where his versatility and attacking qualities have strengthened the team’s options in the final third.
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen claims fifth place after reportedly earning £312,569 each week at Galatasaray. The prolific striker enhanced his reputation during Napoli’s Serie A title winning campaign before continuing his career in Turkey. His goalscoring ability, pace and physical presence have quickly made him one of Galatasaray’s standout players.
Mohamed Salah occupies fourth place with a weekly wage of £400,000 at Liverpool. The Egyptian superstar remains one of the most influential players in world football after signing a new contract that reportedly made him the highest paid player in Liverpool’s history. Despite spending many years at the highest level, Salah continues to produce outstanding performances and remains one of Africa’s greatest football exports.
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly is third on the rankings with a reported weekly income of £578,461 at Al Hilal. Widely regarded as one of the finest defenders of his generation, Koulibaly brought years of top level experience from Napoli and Chelsea before joining the Saudi Pro League, where he continues to provide leadership and defensive stability.
Second place belongs to Senegal’s Sadio Mane, who reportedly earns £666,814 every week at Al Nassr. Following successful spells with Liverpool and Bayern Munich, Mane joined the Saudi side and continues to perform alongside some of football’s biggest names. His achievements at both club and international level have secured his place among Africa’s most celebrated players.
Leading the rankings is Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez, whose reported weekly salary of £870,192 at Al Ahli makes him the highest paid African footballer in 2026. Mahrez’s remarkable journey from the lower divisions in France to Premier League glory with Leicester City and later Manchester City remains one of football’s greatest success stories. Now playing in Saudi Arabia, he continues to display the creativity, skill and technical brilliance that have defined his outstanding career.
The latest rankings underline the growing influence of African footballers on the global stage, with many of the continent’s finest talents continuing to secure some of the most rewarding contracts in world football.
