Many African players have secured lucrative contracts during the ongoing summer transfer window. Some of the best players in Europe's top five leagues are also from the continent. Some of them are also the highest-paid athletes in the world. Without further ado, let's take a look at the Top 5 highest paid African players in the world today (August 2023).
1/ Sadio Mane (Senegal/Al-Nassr) – £661,000/week
CAF Player of the Year 2022 – Sadio Mane is one of the highest earning footballers on the planet right now. After a disappointing debut season at Bayern Munich, it looks like Mane will leave after just one season in the Bundesliga.
That's exactly how it happens. Bayern Munich recouped almost all of the money they paid to secure Mane's service from Liverpool in the summer of 2022 when they sold him to Al-Nassr for 32 million euros. The star signed a hugely lucrative four-year contract with Al-Nasssr and pocketed £661,000 a week.
2/ Riyad Mahrez (Algeria/Al Ahli) – £481,000/week
Riyad Mahrez is one of the best wingers in the world over the past decade. The Algeria international is a joy when people watch him in action thanks to his superb dribbling skills and relentless creativity. He was one of Leicester City's standout players during their epic 2015-16 Premier League campaign.
Mahrez also had a great time at Manchester City and won 1 Champions League, 4 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups and 3 Carabao Cups. The 32-year-old has now joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli on a four-year contract. Mahrez also earns a whopping £481,000 a week.
3/ Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal/Al Hilal) – £412,000/week
Kalidou Koulibaly was linked with a move to the Premier League for a long time before he finally joined Chelsea last summer in a deal worth €38m. But by the time he turns 30, Koulibaly is past his prime and has had a disappointing debut season in the Premier League.
He has now moved to Saudi Pro League club – Al Hilal. Although he is no longer the player he was at his peak, Koulibaly can prove his muscular strength and fool the opponents he will face in the No. 1 tournament in Saudi Arabia. The centre-back will earn £412,000 a week at his new club.
4/ Franck Kessie (Ivory Coast/Al Ahli) – £354,000/week
Not long ago, Franck Kessie established himself as a formidable element in AC Milan's midfield. The Ivory Coast international's technical qualities, tactical thinking and sheer physicality have helped him dominate in midfield. The star played a key role in the Rossoneri's Serie A championship in the 2021-22 season.
However, Kessie chose not to renew his contract with the Italian giants and instead looked to move to Barcelona. Although a move to the Camp Nou was initially seen as a step forward for Kessie, it is clear that he will struggle to secure a spot in the starting line-up. The 26-year-old has now joined Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli. He signed a three-year contract with a salary of £354,000 per week.
5/ Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool) – £350,000 per week
Mohamed Salah is one of the greatest attacking players Africa has ever produced. The Egypt international has been outstanding for Liverpool since joining the club in the summer of 2017. Since then, he has been arguably their best player and has delivered a steady stream of rare form.
Salah has won 1 Champions League title, 1 Premier League title, 1 FA Cup and 1 Carabao Cup with Liverpool. He is a great goalscorer for The Kop and in the summer of 2022, the Merseysider team gave the star a lucrative new 3-year contract. Under the terms of his new contract, Salah receives £350,000 a week.