According to IOL, Sadio Mané earns around 14.6 million rand per week at Al-Nassr, making him the highest-paid African player in the world. The Senegalese forward, a two-time African Ballon d’Or winner, is targeting a third crown on 7 December.
The salary ranking published by IOL places Sadio Mané at the top of the African hierarchy. The Senegalese international forward at Al-Nassr earns around 14.6 million rand per week, which would make him the highest-paid African player in the world. These are estimates reported by the outlet, not official figures.
On the pitch, Mané completed a season with Al-Nassr: Saudi Arabian champion, with 14 goals and nine assists in 36 matches across all competitions, according to Seneweb. His club remained unbeaten in every match he played, again according to the same outlet. A record that comes just before the African Ballon d’Or ceremony.
A salary scale led by Mané
Behind the Senegalese, the hierarchy drawn up by IOL includes several players based in the Gulf or in Turkey. Kalidou Koulibaly would earn 12.7 million rand per week at Al Hilal, and Édouard Mendy 4.3 million at Al Ahli. Mohamed Salah, who left Liverpool for Trabzonspor before the season, would be on 7.9 million rand per week, again according to IOL.
The other African figures follow: Victor Osimhen would be on 6.8 million rand per week at Galatasaray, Omar Marmoush on 6.4 million before his move from Manchester City to Tottenham, Achraf Hakimi on 4.9 million at PSG and Iñaki Williams on 3.9 million at Athletic Bilbao. These amounts remain unconfirmed, for lack of official confirmation.
A continental record, a more discreet global ranking
With Senegal, Mané led the Lions to the 2025 AFCON title, with two goals, three assists and the player of the tournament award, according to Seneweb. A two-time African Ballon d’Or winner, in 2019 and 2022, he is now targeting a third crown.
The global ranking is less flattering: joint 29th in the 2026 Ballon d’Or, his worst position in five nominations, according to Seneweb.
The competition remains fierce. Achraf Hakimi, 13th in the global Ballon d’Or and reigning continental champion, is among the contenders, as is Ismaïla Sarr, scorer of 21 goals with Crystal Palace, according to Seneweb.
Date with destiny on 7 December in Nigeria
The winner will be revealed on 7 December 2026, at a ceremony held in Nigeria, according to Seneweb.
This edition will give greater weight to performances with national teams and in major continental competitions, a criterion that highlights Mané’s run with Senegal at the 2025 AFCON.