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The Senegal national team. Photo by Jeanpierrekepseu on

Top 10 Senegalese Football (Soccer) Players of All Time

The senior Senegal male soccer national team has always been ranked among the best teams in Africa. Senegal has produced top-quality football players over the years. Some of these players play in top European Leagues and competitions.

Among the top players from Senegal is Sadio Mane who currently plays for Bayern Munich after leaving Liverpool. Senegal has been appearing in the FIFA World Cup over the years even though they have not been finishing well. They appeared in the finals of the World Cup on two occasions, in 2002 when they reached the quarter-finals and in 2018.

Senegal was the first team in World Cup history to be eliminated using the fair play rule after tying with Japan on the first six tiebreakers. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Senegal is expected to participate too as they are in the same group as Qatar, Netherlands and Ecuador.

Here are the Top 10 Senegalese Football (Soccer) Players of All Time:

1. Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane playing for Senegal. Photo by Happiraphael on

Sadio Mane’s gradual rise to a top soccer player is so impressive and interesting to follow up on. He moved from the Netherlands to the English Premier League where he made his mark with Southampton which earned him a big move to Liverpool.

Sadio Mane who is not one of the hugely built players can play easily in any position in the attacking area but he prefers the left wing. His dribbling skills, lightning-quick speed, and the way he takes on defenders and links up with teammates are so unique. Sadio Mane has a huge goal contribution to his teams.

Before departing from Liverpool, he held the record of being the second-highest African goal scorer behind Mohammed Salah. He made a huge move to the German Bundesliga where he plays for Bayern Munich.

Sadio Mane is expected to lead his team in the 2022 FIFA World Cup after beating his teammate to earn a spot. At the age of 30, Sadio Mane earned Liverpool more funds after making a big money move to Bayern Munich last summer.

Read more amazing facts about Sadio Mané in this article

2. El Hadji Diouf

The 41 years old is a former professional Malian soccer player who used to play as a winger or forward. He had an immense career as he played for English, Scottish and French clubs.

El Hadji Diouf was not a big player but he was strong and had stamina that enabled him to stand his ground to tough challenges. El’s brilliant career was at Liverpool before the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

The player had a brilliant run in the 2002 FIFA World Cup even though they did not win it. He was a two-time African soccer player of the Year which no other Senegal player has ever clinched.

3. Kalidou Koulibaly

3rd round UEFA Champions League: Kalidou Koulibaly of SSC Napoli. Photo by Werner100359 on

Koulibaly is the latest Senegal soccer player to join the English Premier League after a successful career in the Italian league with Napoli. The 31 years old plays as a centre-back for Chelsea football club after securing the transfer in the summer.

Koulibaly was in demand in the previous two transfer windows with Manchester United being his top suitor but Napoli never wanted to allow him to leave. The player is a huge influence on the defence of Chelsea as he provides more cover with his heavily built body.

Koulibaly appeared in the Serie A team of the year on four occasions as he was a great player. He is hoping to replicate the same at Chelsea alongside his national teammate, Mendy. Alongside Sadio Mane, Koulibaly is expected to be a huge boost for Senegal in the FIFA World Cup.

4. Edouard Mendy

The Chelsea football club and Malian goalkeeper have had a great career which was full of challenges. He arrived in France as a young lad who never had several opportunities to showcase his soccer talent.

However, Mendy managed to revive his career with Rennes after some months without a club. He earned a move to Chelsea two transfer windows ago and made an instant impact.

Mendy settled quickly in the EPL as he won the Champions League in his first season with Chelsea. He became the first African goalkeeper to win this coveted award.

Mendy also won the AFCON Cup early this year with the Senegal national team. His reflexes, ability to anticipate the next move of the ball and commanding his defence have made Mendy an amazing goalkeeper.

5. Papa Bouba Diop

Papa Bouba Diop in May 2014. Photo by Héninois supporter on

Bouba Diop was a professional Senegalese soccer player whose preferred position was defensive midfield. He was also able to play as a centre-back as he had previously played at Lens.

Papa was considered a strong and aggressive player who won more duels against his opponents. The play style of Papa Bouba Diop was easily compared to those of Patrick Vieira. His most memorable moment was scoring the match-winner in Senegal’s brilliant 2002 World Cup run against France.

6. Idrissa Gueye

Gueye is a top defensive midfielder who has played for top clubs in France and England. Idrissa was among the squad that won the 2022 African Cup of Nations against Egypt.

In England, Gueye played for Aston Villa and is currently for Everton in his second spell with the Toffees. He played for Â鶹APP Saint Germain in France where he reached the Champions League final.

Gueye is a top defensive midfielder who bullies his opponents with his tackles and ability to break down attacks. His experience will be required by the Senegal national team in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

7. Demba Ba

Demba Ba’s at SOMA match with the BJK jersey. Photo by Ultraslans on Wikimedia

Demba Ba is a French-born Senegalese manager and former soccer player who was a forward. Ba played for several clubs around Europe in Asia before he considered retiring from professional football.

A tall and physical striker, Demba Ba was blessed with the pace and strength to hold off tough defenders. He represented Senegal in the 2012 African Cup of Nations.

8. Papiss Demba Cisse

Papiss Cisse is a top forward who plays for Ligue 1 club Amiens since the start of this season. The talented soccer player has played for several clubs around Europe including Newcastle United and the most notable being SC Freiburg.

At SC Freiburg, Cisse held the record for most goals scored by an African player in a single Bundesliga campaign. He had 22 goals which earned him the EFFIFU award for being the most efficient striker in the league.

9. Cheikhou Kouyate

Cheikhou Kouyaté with R.S.C. Anderlecht. Photo by Рыбакова Елена on

Kouyate is a professional soccer player who plays as a central midfielder or centre-back for Premier League club Nottingham Forest. He began his career in Belgian where he later earned a move to West Ham United.

A towering block of a defender, Kouyate is ranked among the best defenders who are not easily beaten in the air. He is also more effective in scoring goals from set pieces. Kouyate has enjoyed a brilliant career which could have been even more brilliant if he earned a big move.

10. Mame Biram Diouf

The 34 years old professional footballer plays as a striker for Turkish Super Lig club Konyaspor. His career has never been that exceptional but he has represented top clubs like Manchester United.

Mame who is a strong striker loves playing against strong defenders as he knows how to make a move through them and score goals.