Saudi Pro League stars occupy the three leading positions, while Victor Osimhen emerges as the highest-paid African footballer playing in Europe.
African football’s biggest names continue to command exceptional salaries across Europe and the Middle East, with Riyad Mahrez leading the continent’s highest earners in 2026.
The Algerian international is estimated to earn approximately US$60.8 million annually at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli, placing him ahead of Senegalese stars Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Here are Africa’s 10 highest-paid footballers in 2026:
| Rank | Player | Country | Club | Estimated Annual Club Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riyad Mahrez | Algeria | Al-Ahli | US$60.8 million |
| 2 | Sadio Mané | Senegal | Al-Nassr | US$46.6 million |
| 3 | Kalidou Koulibaly | Senegal | Al-Hilal | US$40.4 million |
| 4 | Victor Osimhen | Nigeria | Galatasaray | US$24.4 million |
| 5 | Mohamed Salah | Egypt | Trabzonspor | US$19.8 million |
| 6 | Omar Marmoush | Egypt | Manchester City | US$17.6 million |
| 7 | Achraf Hakimi | Morocco | Paris Saint-Germain | US$15.9 million |
| 8 | Ademola Lookman | Nigeria | Atlético Madrid | US$14.6 million |
| 9 | Édouard Mendy | Senegal | Al-Ahli | US$14 million |
| 10 | Iñaki Williams | Ghana | Athletic Bilbao | US$13.3 million |
Mahrez’s position reflects the continuing financial influence of the Saudi Pro League, which accounts for four of the ten players on the list. Mané is estimated to earn €40 million annually at Al-Nassr, while Koulibaly receives approximately €34.7 million at Al-Hilal, according to salary estimates published by Capology.
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen is the highest-ranked player based in Europe. His Galatasaray agreement includes a €15 million net salary, an annual loyalty payment and image-rights compensation, taking his reported guaranteed package to approximately €21 million per season. The striker joined the Turkish champions permanently in 2025 for a national-record €75 million transfer fee.
Mohamed Salah ranks fifth following his move from Liverpool to Trabzonspor. The Egyptian forward signed a two-year agreement reportedly worth €17 million per season, including guaranteed salary and annual signing payments.
Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush, Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi and Atlético Madrid forward Ademola Lookman represent a younger group of African stars securing major contracts at some of Europe’s leading clubs.
The figures are based on estimated fixed salaries and publicly disclosed guaranteed club compensation. Performance bonuses and commercial endorsements are excluded unless included within a disclosed guaranteed package. Currency conversions use reference rates from 28 August 2026.
