Every young footballer that grows up watching the game and has desires of playing professional football, one day dreams of playing in one of Europe’s top leagues. Other continents have developed excellent players for the top of the game, and African players are experiencing great success with their respective clubs. Which top players have been making their mark in the European game over recent seasons?
Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi has been one of the brightest African players to play in Europe since breaking through at Real Madrid. Despite being born in Madrid, Spain, Hakimi has represented Morocco throughout his professional career. Hakimi made his breakthrough at Real in 2017, and played nine times, before moving on loan to German giants Borussia Dortmund. His career reached a new level during that two-year spell in the Bundesliga, as he became revered as one of the best right-backs in the game. His loan spell came to an end in the summer of 2020, and he immediately moved to Serie A giants Inter Milan for around £40 million. He was a vital part of their team during that season, as they won the Serie A title. However, he was sold to PSG in 2021 for a reported £60 million. Hakimi will once again be an important member of the team, as PSG look to finally get their hands on the Champions League trophy.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Kalidou Koulibaly is regarded as one of the finest defenders in world football, and has been an excellent servant for Serie A giants Napoli. Koulibaly was born in France, but went on to declare for the Senegal national team, despite having played eleven times for the French U20 team. The big central defender made his breakthrough at club level with Metz, who he played 41 times for between 2010 and 2012. However, he moves to Belgium side Genk in the summer of 2012 to further his career. He won the Belgian Cup in his first season with the club, before an offer came from Napoli in 2014 that was just too good to turn down. Koulibaly moved to the Italian giants, and has become an integral part of their defence throughout his career in Naples. He won the Supercoppa Italiana in his first season at the club, before winning his first major trophy at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season, as Napoli beat Juventus in the Coppa Italia final.
Mo Salah
There are few more influential African players in the world of football than Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian international progressed through the leagues the hard way to reach the top of the sport, as he was signed by Swiss club Basel after impressing with Al Mokawloon between 2010 and 2012. His performances in the Champions League with Basel attracted the attention of a number of suitors, and he soon made the decision to move to the Premier League. Chelsea managed to acquire the winger, but he was underutilised throughout his two-year stay with the club. He was eventually sold to Roma, where he once again dazzled as the club finished the Serie A season in second, behind Juventus. His performances encouraged Liverpool to part with £40 million, as he moved to Anfield. His career has gone from strength to strength since moving back to the Premier League, as he has scored over 20 goals in three of the four seasons that he has been in the league. Salah was also an integral part of the team that broke Liverpool’s 30-year wait for a top-flight title, as he scored 19 goals in 34 games. He also won the Champions League with the Reds in 2018-19, as he scored the opening goal in a 2-0 success over Tottenham Hotspur.
Online Sports Betting In Africa
With all the football action taking place around Europe, African gamblers are keen to get involved. That can be done easily and safely with the best sportsbooks for football on the continent. These leading sportsbooks will cover all the major leagues, and will offer excellent odds for all the biggest matches taking place. They will also offer leading soccer betting tips for the most knowledgeable wagers. Furthermore, there will be an excellent variety of markets available to those looking to bet, as gamblers can place wagers on the match winners, both teams to score and first goalscorer. As well as that, bets can also be placed on the outright winners of the biggest leagues around Europe.
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