Who is the Best African Footballer Ever? Eto'o, Drogba Ranked

From the streets of Accra to the modern stadiums of London, African footballers have inspired millions with both talent and heart.

In this comparison, we highlight five of Africa's most iconic legends: George Weah, Samuel Eto'o, Didier Drogba, Abedi Pele and Yaya Touré. Each has changed the sport in their own way, but who stands out above the rest as the greatest African footballer of all time? Let's find out.

SB Market Index: How We Evaluate Africa's Greatest Footballers

This evaluation combines a statistical analysis of their success in the "African Player of the Year" awards with expert and media perception to provide a comprehensive ranking. 

Industry Insights

A curated analysis from top 10 football and sports media sources measures how prominently each player is featured in discussions of the "greatest African footballers of all time."

This score is calculated based on a weighted point system for their finishes in the "African Player of the Year" award: Winner (3 points), Runner-up (2 points), and Third place (1 point).

The Verdict: A Battle of Legends Decided by Fine Margins

In one of the most closely contested rankings imaginable, all five legends - Weah, Eto'o, Drogba, Abedi Pelé and Touré, achieved perfect scores in the SB Industry Insights, showing the unanimous recognition of their greatness among the press, pundits and fans. With equal perception across the board, it all came down to the numbers and here, Samuel Eto'o leads the pack.

Eto'o's record four "Best African Player" awards, coupled with multiple additional podium finishes, give him the highest SB Score in our model. Statistically, his dominance is unmatched: a three-time UEFA Champions League winner, two consecutive trebles with Barcelona and Inter, and over 100 goals in both La Liga and Serie A. He was a relentless scorer, a performance player and a symbol of African excellence at the highest level.

While every player in this group has left a permanent mark on football history, Eto'o's mix of longevity, trophies and consistency gives him the narrowest, but most compelling, edge in this elite team.

The Icons: Weah and Drogba

George Weah and Didier Drogba may have different playing styles and stories, but they both share a common drive to change the way African footballers were perceived on the global stage at the time. In our rankings, they are tied for second place, thanks to their strong SB Scores that show their undeniable impact in Europe.

Weah remains the only African player to have won the Ballon d’Or, a groundbreaking achievement that cemented his name in football history. His brilliance at AC Milan, combined with his electrifying pace and elegance, inspired a generation. And it later brought Weah immense popularity, even becoming the president of Liberia.

Meanwhile, Drogba has become the face of Chelsea’s golden era, a striker feared for his strength, decisive goals and leadership. His performances in finals, particularly in the 2012 Champions League, have made him a legend beyond the statistics. The Ivorian managed to beat Bayern in the final in Munich, almost single-handedly.

Both players were beasts. They were ambassadors, icons who took African football to the biggest stages of the world and changed its story forever.

The Midfield Powerhouse and the Maestro: Touré and Pele

Yaya Touré and Abedi Pelé played in different eras, but both are imposing figures in the history of African football, and they have meant something, as can be seen in their strong SB Score ratings.

Touré's four consecutive African Player of the Year awards (2011-2014) represent one of the most dominant periods for a midfielder. In his prime at Manchester City and the Ivorian national team, he was virtually unplayable, combining strength, vision, technique and goal-scoring ability with natural authority. Even though he left with a minor scandal with Guardiola, Yaya Toure remains a hugely important figure in Manchester City's history.

Before Touré, there was Abedi, Africa's Pelé. A three-time winner of the African Player of the Year in the early 1990s, he was the creative heart of both Ghana and Marseille - helping the latter win Champions League glory in 1993. More than his titles, Abedi opened the door for African players in Europe, setting a standard for artistry and elegance.