The top 5 best African footballers playing For European Countries

Football is one of the most international sports on the planet, with children from all nations dreaming of reaching the top. Therefore, it is little surprise that African players have emigrated overseas to chase their dreams of becoming professional footballers at some of the world’s most elite clubs. 

Stars that have made a move have often seen their loyalty tested should they reach the heights that they aspire, as national teams for some of Europe’s heavyweights often look to poach players to represent their country in favour of playing in the colours of the nation of their birth.

But who are some of the star players in world football who may have been born in an African nation but have opted to represent a European country?

Many of the significant nations with African-born players will be among the front-runners to win the World Cup with 22Bet.ug.

5 best African footballers

Breel Embolo

Breel Embolo was born in Cameroon in February 1997, before moving to France and later settling in Switzerland. The aspiring star worked hard coming through youth teams such as Old Boys and Nordstern, before being handed a senior debut with Basel in 2014. Embolo won the Swiss Super League title for three straight seasons before signing for Bundesliga side Schalke in 2016. 

Big-money moves would follow, first in 2019 to Borussia Monchengladbach, before joining AS Monaco in 2022. The striker has earned over 60 caps for Switzerland, representing the nation at the EUROs in 2016, 2020, and 2024, and the World Cups in 2018 and 2022. 

Eduardo Camavinga 

Eduardo Camavinga has been a key feature in Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid side across recent seasons, winning the league and European double in his first season with the Spanish giants in 2021. That feat would be replicating in 2023-24, largely playing out of position at left-back throughout the campaign. 

Camavinga was born in a refugee camp in Cabinda, Angola in 2022 after fleeing the civil war in the Republic of Congo. Aged two, Camavinga moved to France with his family, and he would later represent the nation after progressing through the ranks. The 21-year-old was part of the squad that reached the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, and he was the youngest debutant for France in over 100 years when he made his senior bow, aged 17.

His performances ensure that Real Madrid remain clear favourites with 22Bet.ug to win the La Liga title. 

Ansu Fati

Ansu Fati was one of the hottest properties in world football during his younger days. However, things could have been much different for the 21-year-old, as he was originally born in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau in October 2002. However, aged five, Fati and his family settled in Seville. 

The attacking midfielder came through the youth ranks at Sevilla, before moving to Barcelona in 2012. After seven years with the youth set up, the forward made his senior Barcelona debut in a 5-2 home win against Real Betis in 2019. He was bestowed the honour of Lionel Messi’s number ten shirt at the club in 2021-22, before injuries restricted his appearances. 

Danilo Pereira

Danilo Pereira has been one of the most important players for teams around Europe throughout his career, being deployed in either central defensive or defensive midfield roles. The veteran was originally born in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau before his family moved to Portugal when he was just five. 

Pereira would then represent the Portuguese national team at U18 and U21 levels before making his senior debut in 2015. The midfielder was part of the Portugal squad that won EURO 2016 and the 2019 Nations League. At club level, he won two Primeira Liga titles with FC Porto, and the Ligue 1 title on three occasions during a four-year stay with PSG.

Amadou Onana

Amadou Onana has made a strong start to the new Premier League season after netting twice in his first three appearances for Aston Villa. The defensive midfielder represents Belgium at international level, despite being born in Dakar, Senegal in August 2001. 

Onana moved to Brussels, Belgium, with his family when he was aged eleven to rejoin his father. On the field, the player’s big breakthrough came during a one-year stay with Lille. His performances caught the attention of Everton, with the midfielder netting three times in 63 appearances for the Toffees before moving to Villa Park. 

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