The Senegalese team is reputed to be one of the most successful on the African continent. Ranking of the best Senegalese players of all time
The team is led by coach Aliou Cissé, former team leader at the 2002 World Cup.
With renowned athletes such as Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye and Ismaïla Sarr, the Senegalese team is aiming to continue its international success.
Senegal have won the Africa Cup of Nations just once, in 2022. This was their first success in the competition. They were also finalists against Cameroon in 2002 and Algeria in 2019.
That’s why Afrique has compiled a list of the best Senegalese players of all time. All these sportsmen and women have had a major impact on Senegalese soccer and have left their mark on their nation’s sporting history. The choice of the best Senegalese players of all time is often debated and can differ according to point of view. However, here are some of the players who are regularly mentioned among the greatest Senegalese footballers in history.
Ranking of the greatest Senegalese players of all time
- Sadio Mane
Sadio Mané was considered a key member of the Liverpool FC team, where he earned several honors, including winning the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League championship triumph in 2020. He is renowned for his technical ability, speed of play, ability to score crucial goals and create opportunities for his compatriots.
At international level, Sadio Mane represents Senegal. Sadio Mané has won several trophies, both individual and collective: Champions League, Premier League, Golden Shoe, African Cup of Nations, Bundesliga, African Golden Ball and others. All these achievements make Mane the best Senegalese player of all time.
- El Hadji Diouf
Diouf has had an outstanding career on the international stage, defending the colors of the Senegalese national team at several major events such as the African Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup. He played a crucial role in Senegal’s historic performance at the 2002 World Cup, where the team managed to reach the quarter-finals, their best performance in the competition to date.
As far as clubs are concerned, El Hadji Diouf has progressed in various European leagues. In particular, he has played for the likes of Sochaux, Rennes, Lens, Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and Leeds United. Diouf won the English League Trophy with Liverpool in 2003, and was twice named African Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002.
- Jules Bocande
Bocande was famous as a gifted striker who played for various clubs throughout his career. He began his professional career in Senegal with teams such as Jaraaf Dakar and ASC Jeanne d’Arc. In 1983, he moved to France to play for Metz, where he enjoyed great success. Bocande’s remarkable performances attracted the interest of other European clubs, and he went on to play for Paris Saint-Germain and Nice.
However, Bocande is best known for his time with the Senegalese national team. He defended his country’s colors in international competitions such as the African Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Bocande’s outstanding performances for Senegal have made him an admired figure among soccer fans in his native nation.
- Pape Bouba Diop
Having signed a five-and-a-half-year contract in January 2002, Papa Bouba Diop played just five games in six months, but contributed to Lensois’ second-place finish in the 2002 French championship. His outstanding performances in Ligue 1 attracted the attention of English clubs, who were attracted by his physical strength, which is well suited to the Premier League.
As part of the Senegalese national team, he scored the decisive goal against France in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup. He also scored two other goals at the tournament, where Senegal reached the quarter-finals.
Suffering from Charcot’s disease, he died on November 29, 2020 at the age of 42 in France.
- Idrissa Gana Gueye
In April 2020, Gana wins the Champion de France trophy, while the competition period is suspended due to the Covid-19 epidemic. The Paris team also triumphs in the National Cup and League Cup events, but suffers defeat in the final of the European tournament against the German team Bayern Munich.
In June 2019, he is selected by Aliou Cissé for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squad. Senegal lost the final to Algeria (0-1).
In January 2022, he is selected by Aliou Cissé for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations squad. Senegal triumphed on penalties against Egypt.
On November 11, 2022, he is invited by Aliou Cissé to join the 2022 World Cup squad.
- Henri Camara
He played for Wigan Athletic, Stoke City1 and Sheffield United. His career continued in Greece, where he represented Atromitos, Panetolikós, Kallonis, Lamia and finally Panetolikós.
Henri Camara was one of the key members of the Senegalese team that sprang a surprise by reaching the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup. In the Round of 16, he scored two goals (the second of which proved decisive in extra time) to help his team beat Sweden and reach the quarter-finals. Due to strong competition in attack, he was relegated to the substitutes’ bench.
- Aliou Cisse
Aliou Cissé was part of the PSG team that finished second in the French championship in 1999-2000, and also competed in the 2000-2001 Champions League. He played four matches in this competition. Due to a lack of playing time, he joined Montpellier the following season.
On November 21, 1999, he made his first appearance for Senegal’s senior national team in a friendly against Côte d’Ivoire, winning 3-0.
He captained the Senegalese team to the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup, and reached the final of the 2002 African Cup of Nations, but unfortunately lost on penalties to Cameroon.
In 2022, as coach, he finally triumphed at the Africa Cup of Nations in a penalty shoot-out against Egypt, after losing the final of the previous CAN to Algeria, led by another former national team player, Djamel Belmadi.
- Khalilou Fadiga
His most notable achievement was his decisive Champions League goal against Arsenal at Highbury, which gave Auxerre an unprecedented feat.
In 2003, Guy Roux accepted Khalilou Fadiga’s departure and Inter signed him on a three-year, €3 million contract. But on July 22, something unexpected happened: medical examinations carried out by the Italian club revealed a significant disturbance of the heart rhythm, making it impossible for him to play competitively.
He will finally take part in the African Cup of Nations and 2010 World Cup qualifier against Gambia in Dakar on October 11, 2008. His team drew the match, which meant elimination (1-1). The independent newspaper “L’Observateur” ran the headline “La grande honte” (“The great shame”), featuring a photograph of Khalilou Fadiga being removed from the pitch by police as angry fans hurled missiles at him.
- Cheikhou Kouyate
On August 2, 2018, he signed a four-year contract with Crystal Palace. The transfer is valued at around €10.7 million.
He was a finalist in the 2019 CAN with the Senegal team. Finally, he won the 2022 African Cup in Cameroon.
On November 11, 2022, he was selected by Aliou Cissé to play at the 2022 World Cup.
- Kalidou Koulibaly
On May 19, 2014, he signed a contract with Napoli for €8 million.
He quickly established himself as a key player in Napoli’s central defense due to his outstanding defensive skills, as well as his versatility on the pitch, enabling him to contribute offensively by playing relatively high up. He is now recognized as one of the world’s leading centre-backs.
On July 16, 2022, he was sold to Chelsea FC for 38 million euros. He signs a four-year contract with a one-year extension option. He played his first official match for Chelsea on the opening day of the Premier League. The Senegalese defender was part of the starting line-up for the victory over Everton FC (0-1).
He made it all the way to the CAN 2019 final, which he unfortunately lost to Algeria. He was unable to play in that match as he was suspended.
As team manager, he wins the CAN 2021 with the Senegalese national team in Cameroon.
On November 11, 2022, Aliou Cissé chose him to take part in the 2022 World Cup.
| Pos | Player |
|---|---|
| 1. | Sadio Mane |
| 2. | El Hadji Diouf |
| 3. | Jules Bocande |
| 4. | Pape Bouba Diop |
| 5. | Idrissa Gana Gueye |
| 6 | Henri Camara |
| 7 | Aliou Cisse |
| 8 | Khalilou Fadiga |
| 9 | Cheikhou Kouyate |
| 10 | Kalidou Koulibaly |
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