Top 10 Best AFCON Players; Where does Salah, Hakimi RANK

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been a thrilling set of fixtures till the group stages. Living up to the immense hype that had built up ahead of the tournament. The fans are going frenzy over the highly anticipated knockout fixtures, with stakes getting higher and risk increasing in the latter stages. The four-week tournament is hosted across Morocco, has been a stage for best AFCON players to showcase their talent.

With one ambition to lift the trophy, some of the biggest names from across the continent, such as Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, UCL champ Achraf Hakimi, to big names like Bryan Mbeumo and Riyad Mahrez have been proudly representing their nations. A bunch of these players were exceptional in the group stages and last-16 fixtures, full of heroic moments and unforgettable events. Ahead of quarter-final clashes, we at Sportsdunia have compiled the list of the top 10 best AFCON players, purely based on their performances and impact in the competition.

Who are the Best Players in AFCON 2025?

Safe to say, the AFCON 2025 did not disappoint the football world with its action-packed matches, as proven superstars, seasoned internationals, and emerging young guns made their mark significantly. This edition of the competition has had several big moments on the pitch. Here is the detailed analysis to find out who is the AFCON best player 2025

10. Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast)

The ex-Premier League star Wilfried Zaha inclusion in the Ivory Coast national football team after two years is just like a fairytale. He has aged like a fine wine, after an impressive performance netting 10 goals and providing 6 assists in the United States. Last season, the forward was loaned to MLS club Charlotte FC from Turkish club Galatasaray.

He has been everywhere, from starting the attacks to finishing the moves, and his performance in the group stages cannot be ignored. Zaha's composure and calmness in front of goals will boost the attacking department of the defending AFCON champions as they face favourites Egypt in the quarter-finals. He will be one of those players to watch in AFCON 2025.

9. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)

The African footballer of the year 2025 awardee and PSG superstar Achraf Hakimi was expected to spearhead the Moroccan national football team in the much-awaited CAF African Championship. However, a serious ankle injury barred the Moroccan skipper from playing in the group stages. Riding on the back of the trophy-laden 2024-25 season with Parisians, including PSG's first-ever UEFA Champions League title, Ligue 1 title, and Coupe de France.

The 27-year-old right-back won almost every possible major club title and now will be eager to gift the Atlas Lions the prestigious AFCON silverware on home soil. One of the best AFCON players, Hakimi, carries the hopes of millions of Moroccans on his shoulders at home as the Atlas Lions are running after their second AFCON trophy. He is slowly finding his feet after a stellar last-16 performance with his versatility in both attack and defence.

8. Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)

One of the latest Manchester United's firepower Bryan Mbeumo will be keen on taking his scoring luck in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations knockouts. He arrived as Red Devils' top scorer in the English Premier League with 6 goals, but has not been able to find the back of the net in the AFCON campaign yet. The 26-year-old made an assist in Cameroon's slender 1-0 win over Gabon in the group stage opener.

The right-winger missed the last AFCON owing to an injury. However, Mbeumo started all four matches for the Indomitable Lions, amassing over 300 minutes till the round of 16. Cameroon advances to the round of 16, from a challenging group consisting of Mozambique, the Ivory Coast and Gabon. Now, Mbeumo's side will take on hosts Morocco in the quarter finals. Will the EPL star live up to the high expectations of leading Cameroon national football team to the final?

7. Sadio Mane (Senegal)

The Senegalese icon Sadio Mane entered the African spectacle as one of the best AFCON players with a staggering 117 international caps for his country. From being the star performer for Liverpool, clinching Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles under the watch of Jurgen Klopp. Mane has brought the limelight to the Saudi Pro League through his scintillating outings in Al Nassr colours.

It's just impossible to keep him out when we are discussing the AFCON best player 2025. Mane's pace, dribbling and scoring prowess are traits that have not declined that making him a standout player on the pitch. As of now, the 33-year-old attacker has been involved in 4 goal contributions, scoring once and providing three assists in as many matches. After a successful CAF World Cup 2026 qualifiers, which means he is in fine touch for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

6. Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 brings a long-lost hope to the Egyptian king Mohamed Salah, after recording a decent start to the 2025-26 club campaign. The Premier League champion will be ambitious to reach new heights with the Pharaohs. Ahead of the start tournament, the 33-year-old talisman touched the lowest deck following a fallout with the Reds' management and coaching team.

The right winger has been Egypt's main man in the attack, playing three matches, including two group stage matches and a match against Benin in the round of 16. He managed to find the back of the net thrice with an XG of 1.65, and XG shot on target 1.80. Egypt have progressed through to the last eight after beating a resilient Benin side following two goals in extra time. The two-time African player of the year has been one of the most exciting players to watch in AFCON 2025.

5. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)

Up next in the list of the best players in AFCON 2025 is Algerian icon Riyad Mahrez an elite-level winger who can change the fate of a game with one touch. He has been the main man for Fenec Foxes in this edition, bagging 3 goals in as many outings. The ex-Man City star Mahrez is hailed as one of the best African players to play in the Premier League. Now, Algeria will face the overpowered Nigerians in the quarter-finals, and Riyad will be their key player who is capable of changing the momentum of any game in the blink of an eye.

Mahrez has always been a player to watch when he has the ball, with his vision, trickery, and skills down the flanks. He will be out there for blood and to prove himself worthy of top-level football. His performance for Al-Ahli also highlights his ambition to be the AFCON best player 2025. In 2019, the winger propelled the Green to their second CAF silverware, dropping a masterclass throughout the tournament. The Al Ahli star will be motivated to clinch his second AFCON.

4. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)

No one deserves more than Victor Osimhen to be among the top five best AFCON players in 2026. His performances in the CAF World Cup qualifiers did not prove enough to take Nigeria to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He will look for redemption in Morocco following his heartbreak in Nigeria, failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Osimhen is determined to help his team lift the trophy for the fourth time.

The Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen has been in the form of his life in the Turkish League, hitting 12 goals across all competitions. Extending his goal-scoring touch to international football, Osimhen racked up 3 goals in 4 appearances. The Super Eagles have lit up the group stages, finishing as the table toppers in group C, recording 9 points. In the knockouts, Nigeria crushed Mozambique with a 4-0 scoreline.

3. Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)

Another young attacking gun who has established himself as one of the best AFCON players is Manchester United's promising winger Amad Diallo. The Ivorian winger has amazed the fans every time he has got game time at Old Trafford, this season. In the English top flight alone, he has racked up two goals and as many assists in 15 appearances coming into the 2025 AFCON.

Diallo's number might not look promising, though he brings more to the table with his attacking runs, dribbling, linkup plays, and threatening final balls. As expected, Amad carried his good form in attack for his country, and entertained everyone with his quick feet and stylish dribbling as one of players to watch in AFCON 2025. He will be vital in the Elephants' title defence, as they take on the Salah-led Egyptian football team.

2. Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)

The Nigerian star Ademola Lookman has been a deadly forward throughout the tournament and stood out in the Nigerian squad full of superstars and big names. The Atlanta forward has displayed his explosiveness, direct plays and clinical finishing during the ongoing African Cup of Nations campaign. He has been a vital cog in Eric Chelle's free-flowing Nigeria side, as the Super Eagles looked strong contender to lift the championship.

In his first outing, Lookman netted the winner in a 1-0 win over Mozambique and then salvaged a point for his country in a 1-1 stalemate against Cameroon. The 28-year-old is an intelligent player who utilises half spaces to create goal-scoring chances. Overall, contributing 7 goals in just 3 matches. The attacker created a staggering 12 chances in goal, cementing his place in the ranks of best AFCON players.

1. Brahim Diaz (Morocco)

The Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz was in the limelight at the Africa Cup of Nations when he took to the field for the hosts wearing the number 10 shirt. The attacking midfielder has showcased his exceptional footwork, on the ball skills to edge past defenders effortlessly. Diaz's eye for goal is criminally underrated, scoring 4 goals in the competition, he is currently leading the goal scoring charts as the 2025 AFCON top scorer.

The 26-year-old midfielder has proven his credentials as a world-class player, who has represented elite European clubs Milan, Man City and Real Madrid. The Spain-born playmaker maintains a 100% record of scoring in every outing. Already secured his spot in the team of the tournament courtesy of individual brilliance. Brahim still has a lot of work to do raising the expectation, as competition is getting intense in the knockout stages.

chances in goal, cementing his place in the ranks of best AFCON players.