The 2025/2026 European football season promises fireworks, jaw-dropping displays, heartbreaks, and all the fun, with African players set to take centre stage across the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. From record-breaking goal scorers to dazzling wingers and rock-solid defenders, the continent’s finest talents are poised to shape the destiny of clubs and competitions.
Here’s a look at 10 African players to look out for in the 2025/2026 season; players whose forms and hunger for success make them unmissable stories in the months ahead.
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool FC
Mo Salah was on a frightening wavelength last season, banging goals, delivering assists, and dismantling opposition defences with relative ease. There was an air of inevitability surrounding him as he spearheaded and singlehandedly led Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th league title. Defences crumbled, goalkeepers were made to look like amateurs, and managers teetered on the verge of insanity as they ran out of tactics and ideas to stop Liverpool’s Egyptian King. It was all too easy for him!
He outshone and overshadowed every African player across Europe with his alien-like form. No other African footballer scored more goals, recorded more assists, or was as vital to his team’s success as Mo Salah. He shattered innumerable records and rewrote the history books at the slightest opportunity. He is a favourite to clinch the African Player of the Year Award. Salah should have been a stronger candidate for the Ballon d’Or if not for his team’s shortcomings in the UEFA Champions League.
As Liverpool begin their EPL title defence quest, the Egyptian winger is tasked with leading Liverpool’s new-look attack in their bid to conquer England and Europe.
Serhou Guirassy – Borussia Dortmund
Serhou Guirassy’s goalscoring exploits in the 2024/2025 season have not been discussed enough. The Guinean Striker’s debut season with Borussia Dortmund was sensational as he ripped up defences across the Bundesliga and Europe. He powered the German side to the unluckiest of comebacks to secure a fourth-place finish and a UCL qualification spot last season. The Guinean Striker was monstrous in front of goal, firing goals aplenty in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League. He registered 38 goals and 9 assists across 50 appearances for the Black and Yellow.
The best part is that he got better as Dortmund progressed into the season. His clinical masterclass against Barcelona should be a textbook reference for attackers. He ended the season as the top scorer in the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Guirassy also became the first Guinean footballer in history to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
A bargain signing for Dortmund in all ramifications, he is hungry and raring to do better in the coming seasons. Harry Kane, watch out! He is coming for your golden boot.
Achraf Hakimi – PSG
Achraf Hakimi is a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or, the biggest individual prize in football. He has been the best right back in the world over the past year, putting up impressive performances across both ends of the pitch. Hakimi was pivotal in PSG’s fairytale 2024/2205 season, culminating in a historic European continental treble.
A nightmare for opposition wingers and defenders, he is indispensable for PSG. Hakimi notched vital goals in the knockout stages of the UCL and the final of the Coupe de France. He was at the heart of the Parisians’ dominance in Ligue 1 and their 2nd placed finish in the FIFA Club World Cup. A leader on and off the pitch, he will play a key role as PSG faces a gargantuan challenge in replicating their success from last season.
Ademola Lookman – Atalanta
The African Player of the Year needs no introduction. Ademola Lookman is the best African Player in Serie A and was the Italian league’s standout African performer last season. No African player recorded more goal involvements in Serie A last season. With 15 goals, he was the joint third-highest goalscorer in the Italian top flight last season and outperformed his expected goals of 10.4 by a considerable margin. Only one player has recorded more goals and assists than him since his debut in Serie A.
His importance to Atalanta’s success last season cannot be overstated. Atalanta’s unlikely title charge crumbled into nothingness in his absence. The Nigerian striker’s relationship with Atalanta is broken, and he has publicly expressed his desire to move away from Bergamo. Inter Milan has been touted as the favourite for his signature. He was a strong contender for the Capocannoniere last season before injury struck. He has repeatedly redefined his brilliance with Atalanta, and now, entering his peak years, the Nigerian forward will be one to watch, wherever he plays.
Bryan Mbeumo – Manchester United
Bryan Mbeumo was one of the best African Players in Europe last season. Mo Salah was the only African player who performed better than Mbeumo in England’s top flight. He scored a record 20 goals and provided seven assists for Brentford, earning the right to be mentioned in the same breath as the very best in the business.
Manchester United splurged the cash on the Cameroonian without reservations, beating other clubs to his signature following prolonged back-and-forth negotiations with Brentford. United’s marquee signing will face the challenge of elevating his game further next season and turning the United faithful into believers again. United promises a new challenge, and he is up to the task. He’ll represent his boyhood club this season, and excitement levels are rising.
Inaki Williams – Athletic Bilbao
Inaki Williams, a model of consistency and fitness, has been around for a long time, and he will not be stepping away anytime soon. The veteran winger played a starring role for Bilbao last season, championing the Basque club’s fourth-place finish in La Liga and semifinal appearance in the Europa League—their first Champions League spot in a decade. No Bilbao player logged more minutes, highlighting his importance to the Spanish club.
The older Williams brother was crowned the 2024/25 Sporty LaLiga African MVP, awarded to the best African Player in La Liga. No other African footballer has won the award on back-to-back occasions. He indicated his desire to win it for a third consecutive time and is not slowing down anytime soon. Recently, he was named the first black captain in Athletic Bilbao’s history and aims to continue breaking down barriers with the Basque Club.
Victor Osimhen – Galatasaray
Victor Osimhen made an explosive impact in Turkey last season, and Galatasaray didn’t hesitate to smash the Turkish transfer record fee to sign him for a €75 million fee. The Nigerian striker was an unstoppable menace in front of the goal for Gala last season, smashing goals across all competitions. He finished his maiden campaign in Turkey as the Super Lig’s Gol Kralı (Goal King) and led Gala to a domestic double. Subsequently, Gala became the first Turkish Club to have five stars imprinted on their jersey.
The African Footballer of the Year can score all goals and has an eye for the spectacular. Opposition defenders are tasked with the impossible task of stopping him next season. With new attacking reinforcements like Leroy Sané and Ederson, the Nigerian striker could deliver another jaw-dropping season
Omar Marmoush – Manchester City
For a considerable amount of time last season, Omar Marmoush was one of the top three African players in Europe. Marmoush was the biggest revelation in the Bundesliga last season as he started the 2024/2025 Bundesliga season in an otherworldly form. His pace, clinical prowess, and creative expertise left defences in a quagmire. He was the best player in the German League before his mid-season departure.
The Egyptian winger showed glimpses of why Manchester City were willing to splash €75 million to sign him in the winter transfer window. They needed an established star to plug the gaping hole left by Julian Alvarez’s departure, and he fit the bill perfectly. City’s inconsistent and faltering form resulted in a dip in his performances following his switch to the Etihad. Notwithstanding, he has adjusted fully into Pep Guardiola’s system, and the Cityzens have made some major reinforcements. He is bound to shake things up in the Premier League next season.
Mohamed Kudus – Tottenham Hotspur
Mohamed Kudus has long been touted as one of the best African players in Europe, a generational talent designated for stardom. He is blessed with a magical left foot and phenomenal technical abilities. Tottenham has backed new head coach Thomas Frank in the transfer market, and they made Kudus the most expensive Ghanaian footballer in history to pry him from the hands of West Ham. He is one of the biggest signings in the Premier League this season.
The Ghanaian winger saw a slight dip in form last season due to managerial changes and positional variations at West Ham. Kudus will be deployed in a natural right-wing position at Tottenham, allowing him to play to the best of his abilities. Thomas Frank previously maximised Bryan Mbeumo’s potential, and he is expected to replicate his success on Kudus. There is still a lot of untapped potential in the 25-year-old winger, and he has all the tools to explode this season.
Simon Adingra – Sunderland AFC
Simon Adingra is an exceptional talent, and it is a shame things didn’t work out well for him last season at Brighton. The Ivorian winger started the 2024/2025 season on a bright note but lost out on a starting spot to the incredible Yankuba Minteh. He struggled to regain his top form and endured a frustrating campaign at Brighton.
Newly promoted Premier League side Sunderland AFC pulled him out of his misery at Brighton and offered him a new lease of life at the Stadium of Light. The 23-year-old has put last season’s disappointment behind him and is ready to make waves with The Black Cats. On his day, Adingra is virtually unplayable. He can play across the frontline. Sunderland have landed a gem!
