Introduction African players have left an indelible mark on the UEFA Champions League, showcasing their talent on one of football’s biggest stages. These stars, through consistency and excellence, have accumulated the highest number of appearances in the competition. Here are the top African players with the most Champions League appearances.
1. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
Chelsea’s Ivorian forward Didier Drogba runs with the trophy after the UEFA Champions League final football match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Chelsea FC on May 19, 2012 at the Fussball Arena stadium in Munich. Chelsea beat Bayern Munich 4-3 on penalties to win the Champions League. AFP PHOTO / JOHN MACDOUGALL (Photo by JOHN MACDOUGALL / AFP) (Photo by JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images)
A legend at Chelsea, Didier Drogba played 94 Champions League matches, with his crowning moment coming in the 2012 final, where he scored the equalizer and winning penalty.
2. Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
Inter Milan’s Cameroonian forward Samuel Eto’o celebrates after the UEFA Champions League final football match Inter Milan against Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 22, 2010. Inter Milan won the Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the final at the Santiago Bernabeu. Argentine striker Diego Milito scored both goals for Jose Mourinho’s team who completed a treble of trophies this season. AFP PHOTO / PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU (Photo credit should read PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images)
Eto’o, with 82 appearances, won the Champions League with Barcelona (2006, 2009) and Inter Milan (2010), scoring in two finals and solidifying his legacy as one of Africa’s greatest forwards.
3. Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Yaya Toure of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Manchester City and FC Basel at Etihad Stadium on March 7, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Touré made 72 appearances, winning the 2009 Champions League with Barcelona. His commanding midfield presence defined his campaigns with both Barcelona and Manchester City.
4. Michael Essien (Ghana)
MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 12: Michael Essien of Real Madrid attends a press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester United at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 12, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
Essien, with 76 appearances, was a powerhouse for Chelsea. His stunning goal against Barcelona in 2009 remains one of the competition’s most iconic moments.
5. Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Liverpool FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Anfield on October 02, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Salah, with over 70 appearances, has become a modern icon with Liverpool, winning the 2019 Champions League and setting numerous scoring records for the club.
John OBI MIKEL – 10.03.2009 – Juventus / Chelsea – Champions League, (Photo : Thomas Pictures / Jean Paul Thomas / Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Mikel played 59 Champions League games, anchoring Chelsea’s midfield during their 2012 triumph, where his performance in the final was pivotal.
7. Sadio Mané (Senegal)
MADRID, SPAIN – JUNE 01 : Sadio Mane of Liverpool celebrates with the UEFA Champions League trophy during the UEFA Champions League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on June 1, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Mané, with over 60 appearances, played a crucial role in Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League-winning campaign, scoring in the 2018 final.
8. Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria)
Football, UEFA Champions League Final, Vienna, Austria, 24th May 1995, Ajax 1 v AC Milan 0, Nwankwo Kanu of Ajax holds the trophy aloft as he celebrates victory, as he is filmed by a television cameraman (Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)
With 53 appearances, Kanu starred for Ajax, Arsenal, and Inter Milan, winning the Champions League with Ajax in 1995.
9. Seydou Keita (Mali)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: Seydou Keita of FC Barcelona controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League group F match between FC Barcelona and Inter Milan at the Camp Nou Stadium on November 24, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona won the match 2-0. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
Keita, with 65 appearances, was a key figure in Barcelona’s midfield during their 2009 and 2011 Champions League triumphs.
10. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)
MARSEILLE, FRANCE – AUGUST 15: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Olympique De Marseille celebrates after scoring his second goal to give the side a 2-0 lead the UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round 2nd Leg match between Olympique de Marseille and Panathinaikos FC at Stade de Marseille on August 15, 2023 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Aubameyang, with over 50 appearances, has been a consistent performer in the competition with Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, and Barcelona.
Conclusion These African players have carved their names into Champions League history through skill, resilience, and unforgettable performances. Their legacies continue to inspire the next generation of African stars dreaming of conquering Europe’s grandest stage.
