Nine African players have been named among the world's finest in ESPN's FC 100 for 2025-26.
What does the season ahead hold for them, and what do they need to do to find themselves back on ESPN's list in 12 months' time?
Achraf Hakimi - PSG/Morocco
What does this season hold? - Expect another season of Hakimi again being expected to operate as one of PSG's genuine difference-makers - rather than merely a rightback - at the business end of European competition.
At 27, he's firmly in his prime, central to both club and country, and is the outstanding candidate to retain his African Footballer of the Year award.
Busy offseason? - Very. Was an influential component of a Morocco side that reached the World Cup quarterfinals -- Africa's best performers -- which means that Hakimi has taken part in three international tournaments in the last two years.
One big challenge - Staying fit. Given the player's relentless schedule, and an ever increasing workload, as well as his specifically demanding role for PSG, fitness concerns remain a genuine worry for Hakimi.
He sustained injury ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in late 2025 - and was rushed back to action - before picking up a hamstring problem in the Champions League semifinal first leg against Bayern Munich.
Best-case scenario - Another trophy-laded season with PSG, individual recognition among the world's finest players, finally inspiring Morocco to the Africa Cup of Nations title next year.
Ayoub Bouaddi - Lille (Manchester City?)/Morocco
What does this season hold? - At the time of writing, it appears as though Bouaddi is potentially in line to join Manchester City as Rodri's replacement, stepping into the shoes of a Ballon d'Or-winning central midfielder at only 18.
Busy offseason? - Transformative summer for Bouaddi; he switched from France to Morocco ahead of the World Cup, immediately established himself as a starter, received global recognition for his performance against Brazil, and now stands on the brink of a massive transfer.
One big challenge - There are likely to be several. Adaptation to a new league, a new country, a club in transition after the departure of Pep Guardiola, and - of course - the need to replace Rodri in City's midfield.
Best-case scenario - He adapts seamlessly to the Premier League, quickly becomes City's reference point in the midfield, and goes from being considered one of Europe's best young midfielders to one of the world's finest in his position.
READ: ESPN's top 100 men's football players for 2026
Antoine Semenyo - Manchester City/Ghana
What does this season hold? - Semenyo has already demonstrated how is pace, power, directness and finishing can translate from Bournemouth to City. Now he must improve his consistency, become an indispensable element of the forward line, and consolidate himself as a truly elite forward.
Busy offseason? - Reached the World Cup knockouts with Ghana, although arguably failed to do himself justice at the tournament, receiving praise for his disciplined defensive work rather than his attacking qualities.
One big challenge - City are a team in transition following the arrival of Enzo Maresca, so there's much uncertainty. It remains to be seen what kind of competition Semenyo will face for playing time at the Etihad Stadium, and whether he can maintain his initial 2026 form.
Best-case scenario - Semenyo scored 17 league goals across his time with City and Bournemouth last season, breaking the 20-goal mark feels like a realistic target.
If that can fire Maresca to a successful first campaign at City, helping the club mitigate the loss of Guardiola, and even unseat Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, everyone will be happy.
Ademola Lookman - Atletico Madrid/Nigeria
What does this season hold? - A first full season at Atletico, having moved from Atalanta in midseason, he now has the opportunity to establish himself as one of La Liga's most feared attackers.
Busy offseason? - Not really, with Nigeria failing to qualify for the World Cup and Lookman - for once - not the subject of intense transfer speculation.
One big challenge - Returning to his earlier Atalanta form. Last season was a disjoined campaign for the 28-year-old, going from dispute and disappointment in Italy to a bright Nations Cup to midseason adaption to life in Spain and Atletico's tactical idiosyncrasies. He hit double figures in goals scored from wide areas in three consecutive seasons in Serie A - can he match that in La Liga across a full year with Atleti?
Best-case scenario - A return to top form: double figures for goals, a major role in a title challenge for Diego Simeone's side, and affirmation that his time at Atalanta was the beginning of his peak, not the high point of his career.
Bryan Mbeumo - Manchester United/Cameroon
What does this season hold? - In 25-26, Mbeumo proved he belonged at United. This season, he must go from successful signing to cornerstone of the Red Devils' renaissance.
Busy offseason? - Cameroon missed out on the World Cup, with Mbeumo saying he needed the time to rest and recharge. He's looked sharp for United in pre-season, and appears primed for a big campaign.
One big challenge - Avoid the lulls. Mbeumo's tenacity, innovation and goals won him many admirers during the first half of the season with United, but failed to score between early February and late May, even going nine games without registering a goal contribution as United's form improved under Michael Carrick.
Did the attacker's form drop off? Did opponents find a way to neutralise him? The 27-year-old must figure it out this term.
Best-case scenario - Helping United sustain a title challenge while equalling his 20-goal return for Brentford in the 24-25 season would be a clear campaign of progress.
Mohamed Salah - Trabzonspor/Egypt
What does this season hold? - This will be a fascinating reinvention for Salah who, for the first time since 2017, will represent someone other than Liverpool.
A historic chapter of his career has ended, and the veteran now enters a completely different environment, immediately as the Super Lig's biggest attraction and - surely - with immense expectation on his shoulders.
Busy offseason? - Exceptionally. Leaving Anfield, playing a key role as Egypt reached the World Cup knockouts for the first time - before that heartbreaking elimination by Argentina, and then receiving a messianic welcome at Trabzonspor.
One big challenge - Aligning expectations. If Trabzonspor fans expect the Salah of old, they will be sorely disappointed.
How can the Pharaohs superstar continue ageing gracefully, while successfully reinvent himself in a new context, while also managing the expectation that comes with his high-profile arrival?
Best-case scenario - Salah dominates the Super Lig, inspires Trabzonspor to a first title since 2022, end helps them enjoy a deep run in the Europa League.
Yan Diomande - Real Madrid/Ivory Coast
What does this season hold? - Perhaps the biggest test that any African teenager in football has ever experienced. Diomande - after only one season at RB Leipzig - now finds himself thrust into the maelstrom that is Real Madrid. Expectations are rarely low in the Spanish capital, but Florentino Perez is unlikely to be too patent as the 19-year-old finds his feet at the Bernabeu.
Busy offseason? - Absolutely. Began the summer talking up a potential move away from Germany -- sharing his appreciation of Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain -- before starring in Ivory Coast's World Cup opening victory over Ecuador. He faded a little in the tournament after that, but still secured a high-profile transfer to Real for an initial €125 million.
One big challenge - The transfer brings an enormous escalation in pressure, competition, scrutiny and expectation. The fee means he cannot remain in the shadows, but for a team that will still be finding their feet under Jose Mourinho, how many minutes will the youngster be afforded?
There ought to also be questions about whether the immature Diomande will be able to adapt to the specific demands of working with Mourinho.
Best-case scenario - Mourinho takes Diomande under his wing as one of his various African proteges over the years - Michael Essien, Samuel Eto'o, Didier Drogba, John Obi Mikel - and establishes the wonderkid as a genuine superstar.
In an ideal world, Diomande realises his promise, forces his way into the starting XI, turns up in the big moments domestically and in Europe, and quickly silences any skepticism about the hefty transfer fee.
Ismaïla Sarr - Crystal Palace/Senegal
What does this season hold? - Sarr never looked better than last term - breaking the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career before starring for Senegal during a testing World Cup for the Teranga Lions.
Pierre Sage replaces Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace, how can the new man get the best out of the 28-year-old?
Busy offseason? - Played his part in a chaotic World Cup campaign for Senegal, as they lost their two opening games, but still progressed to the knockouts, then took a 2-0 lead against Belgium before collapsing 3-2. The fallout has been dominated by accusations of controversy and mud-slinging within the federation, as well as the dismissal of head coach Pape Thiaw.
Sarr had a hand in five goals across four matches - perhaps Africa's outstanding player at the tournament - but that early miss in the opener against France may still be haunting him!
One big challenge - At times in Sarr's career, he's struggled to follow up an outstanding campaign in the next year - notably after promotion with Watford, or after moving to Marseille. If he could replicate (or surpass) last year's 20-goal campaign, it would be a clear improvement.
Best-case scenario - At least matching last term's goal return, helping Sage getting his feet under the desk in the process, with Sarr silencing any doubts about his propensity for dropping off from one season to the next. If he can achieve this, then a major transfer to a genuine European giant could be in the offing next year.
Victor Osimhen - Galatasaray/Nigeria
What does this season hold? - More goals, more trophies, and maybe even an international-career-defining Nations Cup for Nigeria next year.
Busy offseason? - The likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal continue to be linked with a move for Osimhen, so it may yet be a busy end to the summer for the 27-year-old, although he watched the World Cup from back home following the Super Eagles' failure to qualify.
One big challenge - Cracking the Champions League. Osimhen has already demonstrated how he can overpower and overwhelm Super Lig defences and won back-to-back titles.
Gala were badly outclassed by Liverpool in the second leg last season, after eliminating Juventus in the knockout phase play-off. The business end of the UCL represents the next horizon for Osimhen to crack.
Best-case scenario - Osimhen top scores in the Super Lig, wins a third consecutive title, and silences Salah-mania in Turkey. He takes Gala to the UCL quarterfinals, again proves himself against Europe's finest, and...if it's not too much to ask...fires Nigeria to a first AFCON title since 2013.