If you’ve felt like the sport’s financial gravity moved east toward Riyadh and Jeddah you’re not imagining things. The Saudi Pro League has re-wired the market for elite African talent: seven-figure weekly wages, multi-year guarantees, and clauses that would make a CFO blush. Below is a data-checked deep dive into the highest-paid African footballers as of September 2025, why they’re earning what they earn, and what it means for the next wave of stars.

 

Important note on accuracy: Football salaries are rarely disclosed officially. Figures below use reputable wage databases and audited club pages where available. They are gross base-salary estimates, excluding bonuses and image rights, and are clearly sourced.

The Top 10 (2025)

1. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria, Al Ahli) — ~€1,003,846/week

Even in a league overflowing with superstar packages, Mahrez sits on the Saudi summit for Africans. His post-City deal at Al Ahli remains the benchmark for winger money outside Europe.

2. Sadio Mané (Senegal, Al Nassr) — ~€769,000/week

A commercial juggernaut on and off the pitch, Mané’s total value to Al Nassr (and to the league product globally) is reflected in a wage that keeps him among world football’s elite earners.

3. Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal, Al Hilal) — ~€667,308/week

The modern market pays a premium for elite defensive anchors. Koulibaly’s packet makes him one of the best-paid defenders on the planet an outlier for a center-back, and proof of Saudi clubs’ willingness to pay for spine positions.

4. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Galatasaray) — ~€480,769/week

Turkey has its own marquee now. Osimhen’s arrival in Istanbul reset the Super Lig’s top line and gave Gala a Champions League-level wage bill centerpiece in his prime years.

5. Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool) — €470,000)

Europe’s highest-paid African footballer. Liverpool’s talisman extended on Premier League-topping club terms for a wide man, underlining his unmatched on-field output and global reach.

6. Franck Kessié (Côte d’Ivoire, Al Ahli) — ~€269,231/week

From Milan to Barcelona to Jeddah, Kessié’s value proposition press resistance, dual-phase power, penalties travels well. He sits comfortably in Al Ahli’s top salary bracket beneath Mahrez.

7. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain) — ~€253,846/week

Europe’s premium full-back still earns like an elite winger. PSG’s model values his transitional speed and production in a way few clubs can match.

8. Nico Williams (Spain international with Ghanaian heritage, Athletic Club) — ~€320,577/week

Clarification: Nico represents Spain, so he is not eligible for an “African footballer” list despite Ghanaian roots. Including him would be inaccurate; he’s listed here only to pre-empt common confusion. (Athletic’s top earner, not part of the African top-10.)

9. Iñaki Williams (Ghana, Athletic Club) — ~€219,231/week

The Ghana star is Athletic’s heartbeat and commercial face. Long-term security in Bilbao has elevated his wage into Europe’s upper middle tier.

10. Edouard Mendy (Senegal, Al Ahli) — ~€211,538/week

Saudi clubs have priced elite keepers as strategic signings; Mendy’s packet mirrors the league’s push for recognizable, title-winning experience.