Let’s check out every African player to have ever lifted Europe’s most prestigious club trophy.
The UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious club competition in the world, and over the years, it has seen some remarkable African talents making their mark on the grandest stage. In total, 26 African players have had the honour of lifting the European Cup/Champions League trophy, with 24 of them achieving this feat in the post-1992 era.
Before the dawn of the Champions League in 1992, only Bruce Grobbelaar from Zimbabwe and Rabah Madjer from Algeria managed to secure European Cup titles. Grobbelaar achieved this feat with Liverpool in 1984, while Madjer did so with Porto in 1987.
Most successful African player in UCL
Samuel Eto’o, one of Africa’s greatest footballing legends, stands out as the most successful African player in the Champions League.
Eto’o celebrated three triumphant campaigns with Barcelona in 2006 and 2009 and later with Inter Milan in 2010. His dazzling performances in the finals, including memorable victories over Arsenal and Bayern Munich, have left an indelible legacy.
Full list of African Champions League winners
# | Player | Nationality | Club(s) | Year(s) |
1 | Bruce Grobbelaar | 🇿🇼 | Liverpool | 1984 |
2 | Rabah Madjer | 🇩🇿 | Porto | 1987 |
3 | Abedi Pelé | 🇬🇭 | Marseille | 1993 |
4 | Finidi George | 🇳🇬 | Ajax | 1995 |
5 | Nwankwo Kanu | 🇳🇬 | Ajax | 1995 |
6 | Ibrahim Tanko | 🇬🇭 | Borussia Dortmund | 1997 |
7 | Samuel Kuffour | 🇬🇭 | Bayern Munich | 2001 |
8 | Geremi | 🇨🇲 | Real Madrid | 2000 & 2002 |
9 | Benni McCarthy | 🇿🇦 | Porto | 2004 |
10 | Djimi Traoré | 🇲🇱 | Liverpool | 2005 |
11 | Samuel Eto’o | 🇨🇲 | Barcelona and Inter | 2006, 2009, & 2010 |
12 | Yaya Touré | 🇨🇮 | Barcelona | 2009 |
13 | Seydou Keita | 🇲🇱 | Barcelona | 2009 & 2011 |
14 | Sulley Muntari | 🇬🇭 | Inter | 2010 |
15 | McDonald Mariga | 🇰🇪 | Inter | 2010 |
16 | John Obi Mikel | 🇳🇬 | Chelsea | 2012 |
17 | Michael Essien | 🇬🇭 | Chelsea | 2012 |
18 | Salomon Kalou | 🇨🇮 | Chelsea | 2012 |
19 | Didier Drogba | 🇨🇮 | Chelsea | 2012 |
20 | Achraf Hakimi | 🇲🇦 | Real Madrid | 2018 |
21 | Mohamed Salah | 🇪🇬 | Liverpool | 2019 |
22 | Sadio Mane | 🇸🇳 | Liverpool | 2019 |
23 | Joel Matip | 🇨🇲 | Liverpool | 2019 |
24 | Naby Keita | 🇬🇳 | Liverpool | 2019 |
25 | Édouard Mendy | 🇸🇳 | Chelsea | 2021 |
26 | Hakim Ziyech | 🇲🇦 | Chelsea | 2021 |
27 | Riyad Mahrez | 🇩🇿 | Manchester City | 2023 |