Africa's presence in Europe's top football leagues has continued to grow over the last decade and the continent's best players continue to form integral parts of several of the most decorated teams scattered across Europe.
George Weah, Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o and Yaya Toure are but some of the past stars to have established themselves as football greats on European soil, but this ranking won't delve that far into the past -- but rather look at which Africans are currently the torchbearers for the African continent.
Due to the level of African talent, this list is incredibly hard to make with only one of the top five players on Betway's list a shoo-in. Unfortunately there is no place in our top five for players like Riyad Mahrez, Hakim Ziyech, Wilfred Ndidi, Jeremie Boga, Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who are all enjoying superb seasons for their respective club sides.
Here follows Africa's top five players in Europe so far this season (2019/20):
5. Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid)
The Ghana international has established himself as an integral member of Diego Simeone's team this season and it should come as no surprise that he has been linked with a big-money move at the culmination of the campaign.
Partey boasts a big midfield presence and was key in knocking defending UEFA Champions League holders Liverpool out of this season's competition. Strong on the ball, good in attack and even better in shutting down opposition attacks, Partey has all the qualities to succeed in any top-flight.
In total, he has scored three goals in 35 appearances across all competitions for the Spanish club -- starting all eight of Atleti's Champions League games this season.
4. Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund)
While fellow Morocco international Hakim Ziyech has continued to shine for Ajax Amsterdam ahead of his move to Chelsea at the end of the season, Hakimi has quickly established himself as one of the brightest talents in Europe.
On-loan at Borussia Dortmund from Real Madrid, Hakimi has taken his chance in Germany with both hands and feet. The 21-year looks sure to be part of Zinedine Zidane's plans for next season and if not, Real's big-spending rivals will be smart to make a move for the versatile fullback.
Hakimi, who can play at both left and right-back, has featured in a more advanced role for Dortmund this season and the experiment has paid dividends. In total, he has scored seven goals and assisted a further 10 in 37 matches across all competitions. His tally includes a brace against Inter in a match which he started at right-back.
3. Victor Osimhen (Lille)
Nigeria's next big star, Osimhen has taken the French Ligue 1 by storm this season following his move from RSC Charleroi in August and looks sure to play for one of the English Premier League or LaLiga's big clubs in the foreseeable future.
Following a short and unsuccessful stint with Wolfsburg, Osimhen impressed in Belgium and is now making waves for Lille. The 21-year-old has scored 18 goals and assisted a further six in 38 appearances across all competitions this season.
Four goals in his first three Ligue 1 games set the tone for a breakthrough campaign in one of Europe's top league's.
2. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The Egypt international has continued to go from strength to strength in Liverpool red and has been a regular scorer throughout the campaign as the Reds look sure to clinch English Premier League glory for the first time in three decades.
Salah has scored 20 goals and assisted a further nine across all competitions this season as he battles Aubameyang, Sadio Mane and co for the Premier League golden boot once more.
One of Africa's best, Salah has firmly established himself among the world's best over the last two seasons.
1. Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Like Salah, the Senegal international has played a crucial role in Liverpool's run for the Premier League title this season and like his teammate, Mane has elevated himself to be considered as part of the most elite footballers in the world.
The current African Footballer of the Year has scored 18 goals and assisted 12 in 38 games for the Reds across all competitions this season and his run of form in the league has seen him tipped as amongst the favourites to win the Premier League Player of the Season award.
Mane's continued improvement has not gone unnoticed and Real Madrid are said to be keen admirers of the forward who just continues to improve in every season, and for his consistent form he is our deserved pick at No.1.
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