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Who are the best Senegal Soccer Players Of All Time? Senegal has produced some of the world’s finest soccer players throughout history, with a special emphasis on midfielders and forwards playing in either European or African leagues.
The country has one of the most powerful and successful soccer teams in Africa.
Over the years, many talented players have emerged as some of the best in the world. From dynamic midfielders to skillful forwards
The 5 Greatest Senegalese Footballers
See Richest African Footballers as well as the Names of African Players Who Have Won The Ballon d’Or.
Here’s a look at the five best Senegalese soccer players of all time.
5. Aliou Cisse (Midfielder/Defender)
Among the best Senegalese soccer players of all time is Aliou Cisse.
After making his senior international debut in 1999 and representing his country at the 2002 African Cup of Nations, where he was made captain, and Senegal’s first-ever World Cup appearance a few months later, Cisse established himself as one of the top players in Senegal.
His on-field presence was felt thanks to his physical gifts and technical astuteness, particularly his defensive positioning which often saw him directing his teammates out of possession.
Cisse’s leadership qualities and impressive showings rewarded him with a move to Birmingham City in 2003 before retiring from international soccer in 2005 at the age of 29.
4. El Hadji Diouf (Winger/Forward)
El Hadji Diouf is widely regarded as one of the greatest Senegal soccer players of all time.
He had a stellar career that spanned for 17 years, playing for eleven different clubs, including Liverpool in the Premier League.
He was also an integral member of his national team; he spent eight years with them and scored 24 goals in 70 appearances.
Diouf was known for his bad temper on the pitch and often resorted to spitting at other players or fans.
Despite his poor sportsmanship, he was recognized by Pele as part of the FIFA 100 list and won two African Footballer of the Year awards.
Diouf’s athletic prowess made him a versatile player who could play multiple positions- forward, winger, and right-side midfielder- with quick thinking and great speed.
3. Papa Bouba Diop (Defensive Midfielder/Centre back)
Considered an underrated player during his prime, Papa Bouba Diop was a Senegalese midfielder and box-to-box dynamo who played an integral part for the national team on the world’s biggest stages.
His international debut came in 2001 at 23 years old, and he would go on to represent Senegal in five of their major tournaments- 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and 2002 FIFA World Cup (WC).
He earned 4 more caps that year resulting in an invitation to Senegal’s 2002 AFCON squad where he scored the opening goal in the semifinal win versus Nigeria.
At the WC, Diop played all 5 games as The Lions made it to the Quarter-Finals. By 2008, Papa Bouba Diop had retired from international football aged 30 with 14 goals and 44 caps.
Nicknamed ‘The Wardrobe’ due to his physical stature, Diop had remarkable stamina which enabled him to outrun everyone on the pitch on a weekly basis.
Tragically, he passed away in 2020 at 42 years old.
2. Sadio Mane (Winger/Forward)
Sadio Mane is undoubtedly the most talented Senegalese footballer of all time.
He made his senior international debut in 2012 and went on to star for Senegal in numerous international tournaments, including the Olympics and the African Cup of Nations.
In 2017, in his first season with Liverpool, Mane shone in the African Cup of Nations as Senegal reached the quarterfinals.
His stellar form continued, leading him to win the African Footballer of the Year award for 2019 alongside other honors like a Premier League Golden Boot and multiple PFA Team of The Year selections.
Moreover, Sadio is one of the few Africans to score more than 100 goals in EPL.
He possesses quick feet and great strength as well as an ever-improving intelligence which has helped him anticipate attacks and improve his heading ability.
Without a doubt, he is one of the world’s most complete attackers.
1. Henri Camara (Striker)
Henri Camara is the most prolific goalscorer in the history of Senegal’s soccer which is one of the reasons he is number o our best Senegal Soccer Players Of All Time list.
After debuting for Senegal in 1999 at the age of 21, Camara had played for teams like Strasbourg, Neuchâtel Xamax, Grasshopper, Sedan and Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Scottish giants Celtic on loan in 2004-05.
Camara represented Senegal at four major international tournaments with increasing success: he scored twice at the 2000 African Cup of Nations and was part of the team that earned silver for the first time ever on the continent; he featured in Senegal’s first World Cup, scoring twice to seal a historic extra-time win over Sweden in the round of 16; and he scored once each at both the 2004 and 2008 African Cups.
His natural swagger on the pitch, agility, ability to finish with both feet, attacking position and flair made him a cult hero at Wolves as well as an icon in his country.
