8 Africans who have made the Ballon d’Or top 10

Africa has produced some of football’s greatest players, but only eight have managed to finish inside the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or rankings, as it has been dominated by Europeans and South Africans.

The list of African players who have made the cut stretches from George Weah’s historic triumph in 1995 to Achraf Hakimi’s sixth-place finish in 2025.

It includes legendary names such as Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o, as well as modern stars Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané.

Okocha, Amokachi and Oliseh — Super Eagles. Photo by IMAGO

But despite Nigeria’s long history of producing elite footballers who have played in the big leagues, only one Nigerian has achieved the feat.

In this article, we highlight the eight Africans who have made the Ballon d’Or top 10 and reveal the only Nigerian who has been able to achieve such feat.

1. George Weah – Liberia

George Weah is the undisputed pioneer of African football at the Ballon d’Or.

George Weah receives Ballon d'Or. — George Weah receives Ballon d’Or. Copyright: ImagoxDExMARTIGNACxALAINx

The Liberian striker became the first African — and remains the only one — to win the award when he finished first in 1995.

Weah’s triumph came after a remarkable campaign with AC Milan, having already won the UEFA Champions League with the Italian club in 1994.

His achievement remains unmatched by another African player nearly three decades later.

In fact, the next-best finish by an African belongs to Sadio Mané, who came second in 2022.

2. Didier Drogba – Côte d’Ivoire

Didier Drogba established himself as one of the world’s best forwards during his Chelsea career, and the Ballon d’Or rankings reflected his status.

The Ivorian’s best finish came in 2007, when he placed fourth behind Kaká, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Drogba also finished eighth in 2006, ninth in 2009 and 2010, and eighth again in 2012.

His four top-10 finishes make him one of the most consistent African names in Ballon d’Or history.

3. Samuel Eto’o – Cameroon

Samuel Eto’o was another African forward who regularly competed among the world’s elite.

The Cameroon legend finished fifth in the 2009 Ballon d’Or voting after helping Barcelona win a historic treble before moving to Inter Milan that summer.

He had previously finished sixth in 2006 and later returned to the top 10 with an eighth-place finish in 2011.

Eto’o’s fifth-place finish in 2009 remains the best of his career.

4. Sadio Mané – Senegal

Mane Sadio forward of Senegal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 — Mane Sadio of Senegal Copyright: ImagoxJanxDexMeuleneirx

Sadio Mané came closer than any African player to matching George Weah when he finished second in the 2022 Ballon d’Or.

The Senegalese forward was rewarded after an outstanding season with Liverpool and a landmark international year with Senegal.

He helped his country win their first Africa Cup of Nations title in early 2022 before reaching the World Cup later that year.

Mané had already finished fourth in 2019, making him one of the few Africans to record multiple top-five finishes.

His second-place finish remains the highest by an African player since Weah’s victory.

5. Riyad Mahrez – Algeria

Riyad Mahrez of Algeria. (Photo by Imago)

Riyad Mahrez entered the Ballon d’Or top 10 after one of the biggest title-winning surprises in Premier League history.

The Algerian finished seventh in 2016 after playing a starring role in Leicester City’s extraordinary Premier League triumph.

Mahrez scored 17 league goals and provided 11 assists during Leicester’s title-winning campaign, while also winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.

His seventh-place Ballon d’Or finish remains his best.

6. Mohamed Salah – Egypt

Mohamed Salah has arguably been Africa’s most consistent Ballon d’Or contender of the modern era.

The Egyptian first broke into the top 10 in 2018, finishing sixth after his spectacular debut season at Liverpool.

He then finished fifth in 2019, seventh in 2021 and fifth again in 2022.

Salah reached a new high in 2025, finishing fourth with 657 points. Only Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal and Vitinha finished ahead of him.

His fourth-place finish also made him the highest-ranked African in the 2025 voting, as Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi came sixth.

7. Victor Osimhen – Nigeria

Victor Osimhen is the only Nigerian to have broken into the Ballon d’Or top 10. The Super Eagles striker finished eighth in 2023 after a spectacular campaign with Napoli.

Osimhen scored 26 Serie A goals as Napoli won their first league title in 33 years and also claimed the league’s Golden Boot.

His eighth-place finish made him the first Nigerian to ever reach the Ballon d’Or top 10. Osimhen also finished ahead of Mohamed Salah, who was 11th that year.