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Gone are the days when only players from a specific region or nation used to dominate the game of football. Players from all around the world are evolving and proving to get better as the game progresses globally.
European footballers seem to have lost the dominance they once had. In fact, one of the best players in the world, Lionel Messi, is a South American.
In the 21st century, players from Africa have grown into some really good players. The likes of Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Samuel Eto'o and many others have made it large in their footballing careers.
Currently, some of the finest footballers come from the continent of Africa and have done quite well in 2021. On that note, let's take a look at the top African players in this calendar year.
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#5 Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco)
The former Real Madrid defender has had quite the career so far, having already played in Spain, Germany, Italy and now in France. Achraf Hakimi is an adventurous right-back, always with a tendency to attack.
The Moroccan defender can also play as a wing-back and was widely used in that position during his time at Inter Milan last season. Courtesy of that, he was allowed a lot of freedom to go forward and was highly effective in attack. Hakimi had seven goals and eight assists to his name in the 2020-21 season when Inter won the Serie A title after 10 long years.
The 23-year-old joined Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window and has been decent for them. Achraf Hakimi has been superb in 2021 and thoroughly deserves to be on this list of top African footballers.
#4 Sebastien Haller (Ajax and Ivory Coast)
Many were surprised by Ajax's decision to sign Sebastien Haller in the winter transfer window, especially when he wasn't performing that great with West Ham United. The Ivorian didn't take much time to prove his critics wrong, though. He scored 11 league goals and recorded five assists in 19 matches for the Dutch club for the remainder of the season.
Sebastien Haller continued his impressive form in the 2021-22 campaign and has gone on to improve it to a significant level. In just 17 league games this season, he has scored 12 goals and provided four assists. In the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, he has already scored 10 goals making him the leading goal-scorer in the tournament.
Haller's incredible performances for Ajax in the Champions League helped them win all their group games, becoming one of only 10 teams to do so.
The Ivorian striker has looked deadly in front of goal this season under the management of Erik Ten Hag. Haller will play a vital role in how far Ajax can go in the Champions League in the 2021-22 season.
#3 Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City and Algeria)
The Premier League has some wonderful wingers and Riyad Mahrez is surely one of them. The Algerian has been very impressive and efficient for Manchester City whenever called upon.
Getting regular game-time has somewhat been a struggle for him but nonetheless he has made it count more often than not. In last season's league triumph, Mahrez was involved in 15 goals in just 23 starts. The former Leicester winger has stepped up this season and has scored some game-winning goals when desperately needed.
Riyad Mahrez has scored five goals in six Champions League games and been involved in nine goals in just seven Premier League starts. With his amazing dribbling and creative skills, the Algerian remains an underrated and valuable player for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
#2 Edouard Mendy (Chelsea and Senegal)
Edouard Mendy has been without a doubt one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League ever since he arrived at Chelsea in the 2020-21 season. The Senegalese kept 16 cleansheets last season in the league, conceding just 25 goals in 31 matches.
His sharp reflexes and amazing shot-stopping abilities have come to Chelsea's rescue on a regular basis. Edouard Mendy conceded only three goals in the Champions League last season and was vital in their triumph.
The former Rennes goalkeeper has continued his superb form this season, having conceded only 13 goals in 18 Premier League games. Had it not been for Edouard Mendy, Chelsea would not have achieved the feats they did in 2021.
#1 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
There is almost nothing at the moment that can stop Mohamed Salah from scoring goals in the 2021-22 season. The Egyptian winger has been sensational with his mind-boggling dribbling and fabulous goal-scoring abilities.
Last season, Mohamed Salah ended up scoring 22 goals in the Premier League, only one short of the Golden Boot. He has made up for it by scoring 15 goals in just 19 league appearances this season. His awareness and execution in front of goal has been second to none. The former Chelsea man has already scored seven goals in six Champions League matches this season.
With some wonderful performances in 2021, there is no doubt that Mohamed Salah is the best African player in the calendar year. Given his current form, he is likely to help Liverpool win silverware this season.
