Top 5 African players in Inter’s history

Ace Football presents a detailed list of the best African players to have played for the Nerazzurri.

Among the top five European football leagues, Serie A might be the one that has been most involved with African players. Several generations of African talents have found their way into European football through playing for Serie A clubs.

As one of the greatest clubs in Italian football, Inter have been home to some of the greatest African players of all time.
Let’s take a look at the best African players to have played for Inter.

5- Mohamed Kallon 🇸🇱

Kallon joined Inter as a 16-year-old in 1995. He then went on four loan spells, before returning to Inter’s senior team in 2001. The injuries of Ronaldo and Alvaro Recoba provided the Sierra Leone star with more playing opportunities.

Kallon made a total of 65 appearances for Inter, scoring 20 goals and providing three assists. His over goal tally of 39 makes him the second-highest African goalscorer in Italian top-flight’s history.

An eight-month drug suspension prevented Kallon from securing his place in Inter’s lineup beyond the 2000-01 campaign. The Sierra Leone star eventually left the Nerazzurri to join Monaco in 2004.

4- Sulley Muntari 🇬🇭

Upon joining Inter in 2008, Jose Mourinho tried to bring Frank Lampard to San Siro. However, Chelsea refused to sell their midfield star, forcing the Special One to search for a midfielder with a similar profile.

Mourinho landed a deal for Muntari as one of his first signings at the club. The Ghana international did not have the attacking qualities of Lampard. However, his tenacious presence in midfield turned out to be a key contribution to Mourinho’s tactics.

The Ghanaian star won the Serie A title in his first season at the club. He then played his part in Inter’s historic treble in 2010. However, the departure of Jose Mourinho gradually limited Muntari’s game time in the following season.

In January 2011, Inter announced the Ghana star had requested a transfer. The Inter star moved to Sunderland and AC Milan on loan deals before making a permanent transfer to the Rossoneri in July 2012.

3- Taribo West 🇳🇬

West is another one of the African players who have represented both of Milan’s great clubs. Following Nigeria’s gold medal in the 1996 Olympics, West joined Inter as a youngster in 1997.

While developing himself as Nigeria’s irreplaceable centre-back in the late 90s, West quickly found his feet at San Siro. He scored Inter’s match-winning goal in their UEFA Cup quarter-final tie against Schalke in his debut season.

The Super Eagles defender made 95 appearances for Inter in his two-and-a-half-year spell at the club. After his initial two seasons at the club, West fell out of favour during his third campaign. The Nigeria legend eventually left the club to join Milan in January 1999.

2- Obafemi Martins 🇳🇬

Martins moved to Inter’s U19 side from Reggina in 2001. The Nigerian star’s impressive performances earned him a spot in Inter’s senior team, where he made his debut on 22 December 2002.

Despite having serious competition in Inter’s squad, Martins managed to establish himself as a regular starter during the 2002-03 season. His celebration after scoring his maiden Champions League goal is among the competition’s most iconic moments.

Martinz went on to make 136 appearances for Inter, scoring 49 goals and providing 13 assists. The Nigerian striker won a Serie A title and two Coppa Italia cups during his five-year stint at San Siro. Following the signing of Hernan Crespo by Inter, Martins’ limited game time persuaded him to continue his career elsewhere. The Super Eagles star eventually left Inter to join Newcastle in 2006.

1- Samuel Eto’o 🇨🇲

Eto’o is the greatest African star to have played for Inter. The Cameroon legend had already established himself as one of the best strikers in European football when he joined the Nerazzurri from Barcelona in 2010.

He was the missing piece of Mourinho’s puzzle to win the Champions League at Inter. Having won the competition with Barca a year earlier, Eto’o clinched the title again with the Nerazzurri in 2010.

In his 102 appearances for Inter, the Indomitable Lion scored 53 goals and provided 25 assists. After spending two successful years at San Siro, Eto’o left the club to become the world’s highest-paid player at Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.