Best African-Born Footballers Ever
Eusebio has just passed away, often cited as one of Europe and Africa's greatest footballers. Many born in Africa have emigrated over to Europe to ply their trade at the top level over the years, who has been the best?
5. Marcel Desailly
Country of Origin: Ghana
Marcel Desailly was a powerful defender, whose physicality and understanding of the game made him a fearsome opponent. Desailly was the rock behind several winning teams of the 1990s, most notably the French World Cup winning team of 1998. Desailly however originated from and currently lives in Ghana. Desailly moved to France when he was four and began his career at FC Nantes before joining Marseille and then Milan. There he was at the heart of world-class football, playing in three consecutive Champions League finals, winning two of them. Desailly then signed for Chelsea and was outstanding for them in his six seasons there. It earnt him a place on the Overseas team for the first ten years of the Premier League. Desailly is best known for his performances for France. In his era, France won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. His role in the World Cup win in particular had huge cultural significance as a smybol of black, beur, blanc, a perfect representation of the merits of modern multi-cultural France.
Desailly versus Barcelona in the 1994 Champions League Final:
Did you know: A mobile video game entitled Marcel Desailly Pro Soccer was released for mobile phones in 2003
4. Samuel Eto’o
Country of Origin: Cameroon
Eto’o is a modern day African great. The Cameroonian has won everything there is to win in European football and is not finished yet as he lines up for Chelsea in the Premier League. Eto’o made his name at FC Barcelona where he scored 129 goals in 201 games and has seen him win African Footballer of the Year four times. Eto’o was truly a world-class striker in the 2000s, combining blistering pace with cool finishing. What particularly stood out with Eto’o was his attacking movement which perfectly fit in with the expansive style of the Blaugrana. In his final season at Barcelona, he formed one of the best frontlines ever seen with Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi. The trio scored 100 goals between them in 2008-09 as Barcelona won the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey. In 2010, he signed for Inter Milan and became the first player to win two European continental trebles and became the second player to have ever scored in two separate UEFA Champions League finals. He is the highest scorer in African Cup of Nations history.
Barcelona vs Manchester United 2009 Champions League Final:
Did you know: Eto’o was notoriously difficult for managers to deal with and once refused to come on as a substitute in a league match against Racing de Santander in 2007
3. Mario Coluna
Country of Origin: Mozambique
Mario Coluna was the perfect foil of Eusebio, the scheming midfield maestro to the clinical finisher. In modern day terms see Xavi and Messi. Coluna was the inspirational captain behind the success of Benfica and Portugal in the 1960s. Both Eusebio and Coluna originated from Mozambique. Benfica manager Guttman, understanding the need for top teams to have a playmaker, converted Coluna to the role with supreme success. Coluna became the heartbeat of a team to such an extent that Benfica could not cope when Coluna was taken out of the 1963 European Cup final by Milan’s cynical fouling and were denied a three-in-a-row. Still, the Eusebio-Coluna double act brought a period of unprecedented success to club and country. Coluna possessed a powerful shot, a strong engine and a vision that few possessed at the time. It brought Benfica ten Portuguese titles and two European Cups. Coluna scored in both winning finals.
1961 European Cup Final:
Did you know: Coluna swapped shirts with Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano after the 1962 final after a request from Eusebio, who was too shy to ask for the jersey from his hero himself.
2. George Weah
Country of Origin: Liberia
Liberian George Weah is out on his own in many ways. He is the only footballer in history to win African Footballer of the Year, European Footballer of the Year and World Footballer of the Year all at once in 1995. He remains the only winner of the coveted Ballon d’Or from Africa, albeit the award only being open to Europeans until the 1990s. Weah was voted the African Player of the Century by sport journalists from all around the world. Weah spent fourteen years of his professional football career playing for clubs in France, Italy, and England. In his crowning year in 1995, he was top scorer in the Champions League for PSG. Weah possessed great athleticism, combined with fine ball control which culminated in an unbelievable solo goal for Milan against Verona in 1996.
Weah vs Verona:
Did you know: Weah ran unsuccessfully for Liberia President in 2005
1. Eusebio
Country of Origin: Mozambique
The legend may have just passed away but his legacy will live on in Portuguese and African football. Eusebio was one of the greatest strikers to ever play the game, hailed from Mozambique. Spotted by Benfica manager Bela Guttman, he was brought to Portugal at age 18 from the African colony. During his professional career, he scored 733 goals in 745 matches. Eusebio was an incredible athlete with a ferocious shot which earnt him the nickname ‘Black Panther’. Yet he possessed a certain grace about his game also, which lit up the 1966 World Cup in England, as Eusebio led Portugal to the semi-final of the tournament and finished top scorer with nine goals in six matches. Eusebio is best remembered for his Benfica days where he is immortal at the club and a statue stands outside the Estadio de Luz in honour of him. He won two European Cups and played in another four finals in the 1960s, deservedly winning the 1965 Ballon d’Or for his efforts.
Eusebio's four goals vs North Korea 1966 World Cup:
Did you know: Eusebio won the 1966 BBC Overseas Personality of the Year award, one of only three footballers to receive the accolade (Pele 1970, Ronaldo 2002)