Africa has been able to produce legendary football players who have shined at the most famous stadiums in the world. looking back through the history of African football, let's pick your top 5 African Football Legends in History:
Samuel Eto’o
Samuel Eto’o remains on top of Africa’s best players list, who had a great, glorious career winning very prestigious football titles. Eto’o was twice the African Cup champion with his national team, Cameroon, in 2000 and 2002. In 2010, he was able to add another UEFA Champions League title.
Georges Weah
Georges Weah is one of the most successful African players in the history of the game. The Liberian player was at the top of his glory in 1995 when he was awarded the title of FIFA Golden Ball, a distinction he is the only African to hold until now.
Roger Milla
Roger Milla is another legendary player from Africa. The Cameroonian footballer had impressed football fans in the biggest African stadiums before flying to Europe, Roger Milla lifted his country to the quarterfinals at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
Abedi Pele
Abedi Pele, who is regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time. He was chosen by the CAF Football Confederation as the Best African Player three times in 1991, 1992 and 1993. He was also named the African Player of The Year by BBC in 1992.
Yaya Toure
Yaya Toure remains the only African footballer to have won the title of the Best African Player four times in Africa. Winner of the Champions League with FC Barcelona in 2009, and the Spanish league in 2009 and 2010, three times Premier League Champion in 2012, 2014, and 2015.
Salif Keita
Salif Keita, was the first African player to win the African Golden Ball, a prize awarded since 1970.S alif Keita got the European Silver Shoe in 1972 and was awarded the title of the Best African Player in the same year.
Lakhdar Belloumi
Lakhdar Belloumiis the famous Algerian Number 10, who marked the history of football in Africa in the 1980’s. The Algerian midfielder is considered in his country as the greatest footballer of all time. He was able to win the African Golden Ball in 1981.
Larbi Ben Barek
Nicknamed “The Black Pearl”, Larbi Ben Barek was an exceptional striker, recognised as the first successful African player in Europe. “If I am the king of football, then Ben Barek is the god.” This compliment was addressed by Pelé, the Brazilian legend.
Thomas N’kono
The Cameroonian, Thomas N’kono, marked the history of African football by being the first goalkeeper selected twice as the Best African Player in 1979 and 1982. No goalkeeper in the continent has managed to win the same title.
Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the legendary African players. He got the African Golden Ball twice in 2006 and 2009. With Chelsea, Drogba won four premier league titles, three football league cups, in addition to the prestigious UEFA Champions League in 2012. He was elected by the fans as the Best Player in the History of Chelsea in 2015.