10 richest African footballers in 2022 and their net worth

Africa is a rich continent teeming with vast resources. Several Africans of incredible talent and skill grace the world stage in various categories of sports. 

Samuel Eto'o continues to be the richest African footballer of all time. Eto'o and his Ivorian counterpart Drogba have topped the list for another year. 

Let's take a look at the pool of the richest African soccer players in 2022. 

The athletes making the list of Top 10 wealthiest African footballers have had prestigious professional football careers playing for top football clubs. 

Although most of the players have retired from active on-field playing, they are now developing the sport and coaching new talent back home. 

Who is the richest African footballer in the world in 2022? 

Africa has produced the highest number of stars and we can all agree they have represented the continent extremely well.

Most African footballers, who play for big teams, are paid immensely for the great work they do on the field of play. 

1. Samuel Eto'o Fils 

The wealthiest African footballer in the world, Samuel Eto'o has had quite a successful career in football. 

The Cameroonian footballer has had 6 years of youth football and 26 years in his senior career in various top football clubs. 

In 2019, the footballer announced his retirement from football. Born in 1981 Eto'o, aged 42 years old as of 2022, is the current president of the Cameroonian Football Association. According to Richest.com, Samuel Eto'o's net worth is about $95 million. 

Eto'o maintained his position as the wealthiest African footballer in the world from 2020 to 2022. He has also appeared in lists of the richest African footballer of all time and Forbes list of richest African footballers. 

2. Didier Yves Drogba Tébily 

The former striker has received several awards for his skills and especially for his goal-scoring record. Drogba is still the fourth all-time top goal scorer for Chelsea between 2004 and 2012 and 2014 and 2015. 

Nicknamed the 'African King', Didier Drogba has a net worth of about $90 million. He has also appeared on lists of the world richest football player in 2022. 

3. Yaya Touré Gnégnéri 

The third wealthiest African footballer is Yaya Toure, with a net worth of $70 million. 

The Ivorian midfielder has had a successful football career as a player and, after that, as a football coach for Ukrainian club FC Olimpik Donetsk and the Russian Premier League club Akhmat Grozny. 

Although Yaya left the club later, he expressed his excitement to coach the Russian team. 

4. John Mikel Obi 

According to Celebritynetworth.com, the Nigerian defense midfielder is worth about $45 million. 

The fourth wealthiest African footballer has had a successful 18-year international senior career in different top clubs and 3 years playing in youth leagues. With a current market value of $700 000, Mikel is currently a free agent. 

5. Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor 

The Togolese striker is our fifth wealthiest African footballer, with a net worth of about $45 million. Appearing on Forbes as the 12th world's best paid soccer player, Adebayor received an annual salary of about $16 million. 

Adebayor retired in 2020, having played last for Paraguayan club Olimpia. 

6. Michael Essien 

With a net worth of about $35 million, Michael Essien is our 6th richest African footballer. 

The Ghanaian midfielder has retired, having last played for the Azerbaijan Premier League FK Sabail. 

Essien has gone on to coach other teams such as the U19 FK Subail team and Nordsjælland FC. He has appeared on lists of the world richest soccer players.

7. Salomon Armand Kalou 

Salomon is an Ivorian left winger and striker with a net worth of $11 million in 2022. The former Chelsea player is a philanthropic athlete who raises awareness for kidney disease and assists kidney disease patients through his foundation. 

8. Nwankwo Kanu 

Nwankwo Kanu is a retired Nigerian striker. According to therichest.com, Nwankwo has a net worth value of $9 million. Throughout his career, he was two-time African Footballer of the Year, two-time English Champion, Champions League winner, three-time English FA Cup winner, Olympic medalist, and UEFA Supercup winner, to name a few.