9 highest paid players in African football:
| Rank | Player | Club | Calculated Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Achraf Bencharki | Al Ahli | 1,365,000 |
| 2 | Muhammad Ali Ben | Al Ahli | 1,200,000 |
| 3 | Mohamed El Shenawy | Al Ahli | 1,200,000 |
| 4 | Emam Ashur | Al Ahli | 1,000,000 |
| 5 | They are | Al Ahli | 920,000 |
| 6 | Hussein Al Shahat | Al Ahli | 860,000 |
| 7 | Single Hand Card | Pyramids | 800,000 |
| 8 | Everton | Pyramids | 800,000 |
| 9 | Yasir Ibrahim | Al Ahli | 736,000 |
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1. Achraf Bencharki – 1,365,000 euros
Achraf Bencharki is currently the highest paid player in African football, earning around €1,365,000 per year. Bencharki began his senior career with Maghreb de Fes before joining Wydad Casablanca.
Their performances in the 2017 CAF Champions League helped Wyda lift the trophy and reach the FIFA Club World Cup. He also played for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, followed by a loan spell at France’s RC Lens.
He won league titles and domestic cups during his time with Zamalek. After a spell with Al Rayyan, Bencharki returned to Egypt in 2025 with Al Ahly. He scored against his former club Zamalek and helped Al Ahly win the league and the Egyptian Super Cup.
2. Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane — 1,200,000 euros
Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane is also one of the highest paid players in Africa earning €1,200,000 per year at Al Ahly.
The Tunisian midfielder began his senior career at Espérance de Tunis, making his first team debut in April 2018 and helping them win the Tunisian league title that season.
Ben Romdhane then moved to Ferencváros, Hungary, where he was part of the team that won the 2023–24 National Championship I title.
This experience gave him valuable exposure outside of Tunisia before moving to Al Ahly. His first major tournament with the Egyptian giants was at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Made three appearances and grabbed the headlines with a spectacular goal in Al Ahli’s 4-4 draw with FC Porto.
3. Mohamed El Shenawy — 1,200,000 euros
Mohamed El Shenawy has been one of Al Ahly’s best players since returning to the club in July 2016. The goalkeeper established himself as a first-choice option with his impressive performances and clean sheets.
His consistency has played a major role in Al Ahli’s success. El Shenawy helped the club win the Egyptian Premier League in consecutive seasons and was also instrumental in winning the 2019-20 CAF Champions League.
Saved two penalties in the shoot-out against Palmeiras to help Al Ahly finish third at the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup.
He recently showed his quality against Inter Miami at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, making crucial saves, including denying Lionel Messi late in the game.
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4. Emam Ashur — 1,000,000 euros
Emam Ashour is one of Al Ahly’s top players and reportedly earns around €1 million a year, making him one of the highest paid footballers in the African league.
The Egyptian midfielder has become the main figure of “Al Ahly” after joining the club, scoring important goals in both domestic and continental competitions.
During the 2024–25 campaign, Ashour scored 13 league goals in 23 games, winning the Egyptian Premier League top scorer and Best Player award.
He also scored against Al Hilal in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League and scored a hat-trick against Stade d’Abidjan earlier in the competition.
Despite missing parts of the 2025–26 season due to injury and illness, Ashur returned to action. He also made 100 appearances for Al Ahli in April 2026.
5. They — €920,000
Zizo earns 920,000 euros per year. The Egyptian winger has joined Al Ahli on a four-year contract after his contract with Zamalek expired in June 2025.
It was a big signing, not only because of the rivalry between the two clubs, but also because Zizo was part of Al Ahly’s plans for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Since joining the Cairo giants, Zizo has already added silverware to his collection. He was impressive in Al Ahly’s 2025 Egyptian Super Cup victory over former club Zamalek, with a superb 90-minute performance.
6. Hussein Al Shahat — 860,000 euros
El Shahat joined the Cairo giants in January 2019, earning €860,000 a year, making him one of the best paid in Africa.
On 4 February 2021, Al Shahat scored the winning goal as Al Ahly beat Al Duhail 1–0 to help the Egyptian giants progress to the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup.
He made his 12th appearance at the tournament in February 2023, surpassing Egyptian legends Mohamed Aboutrika, Wael Gomaa and Hossam Ashour in appearances.
Later that year, El Shahat scored again in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, scoring in Al Ahly’s 3–1 win over Al Ittihad. It was his fourth goal in the competition in four different editions.
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7. Wahid Al Karti — 800,000 euros
Waleed El Karty is one of the most experienced and prized players in African football and is reported to be earning €800,000 per year.
The Moroccan attacking midfielder spent his career competing in the African League. He started at OCK and Wydad before moving to Egypt in 2022.
El Carti helped Wydad win the Botola Pro titles in 2017 as well as the CAF Champions League. He continued his success with the Pyramids, winning the Egyptian Cup, the CAF Champions League and the CAF Super Cup. El Karti has also represented Morocco at various levels, including the senior national team.
8. Everton — 800,000 euros
Ewerton is a Brazilian winger who currently plays for Egyptian club Pyramids. The 29-year-old joined the club in July 2025 after spending many years in the Czech Republic.
Ewerton began his professional career with EC São Bernardo before moving to Europe. Later, he played for Zlaté Moravce, Mlada Boleslav, Slavia Prague and Baník Ostrava.
Ewerton scored 13 league goals for Baník Ostrava in the 2024–25 season. That performance earned him a move to the Pyramids, where he now wears the number 32 shirt.
Everton has already brought experience to the Egyptian side, having spent the majority of his senior career in European football.
9. Yasser Ibrahim — 736,000 euros
Yaser Ibrahim is another experienced player in the African League earning €736,000 per year. The Egyptian central defender spent most of his recent career at Al Ahly.
Since joining the Cairo giants in January 2019, Ibrahim has been part of a side that has competed for major domestic and continental honours. Ibrahim made his debut for Egypt in 2022 and went on to play for the national team.