Famous Black Football Players

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 1 
Kylian Mbappé
(French Football Forward - Considered One of the Best Players in the World)
Kylian Mbappé
83
Birthdate: December 20, 1998
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Paris, France

Regarded as one of the best footballers of the current generation, Kylian Mbappé became only the second teenager to score a goal in the final game of a World Cup. Known for his explosive speed and dribbling skills, Mbappé made an impact at a young age. Very mature for his age, he also believes in giving back to society.

 2 
Patrick Vieira
(Association football player, Association football manager)
Patrick Vieira
33
Birthdate: June 23, 1976
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Dakar

Patrick Vieira is a football manager and former footballer. Vieira, who was an important member of the France national team, is currently serving as the manager of Crystal Palace Football Club which competes in the Premier League. Widely regarded as one of the best players of his time, Vieira helped his team win its first FIFA World Cup in 1998.

 3 
Romelu Lukaku
(Belgian Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Striker)
Romelu Lukaku
51
Birthdate: May 13, 1993
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Antwerp, Belgium

Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian football player, is known for his goal-scoring abilities. He plays in the forward position and can also play as a winger. He has scored more than 50 international goals while playing for the men’s national team of Belgium. Inter Milan, Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion, Everton and Manchester United are some of the clubs he has played for.

 4 
Jesse Lingard
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as an Attacking Midfielder)
Jesse Lingard
19
Birthdate: December 15, 1992
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Warrington, England
Manchester United winger and attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard has won several championships with his team, such as the UEFA Europa League, the FA Community Shield, the FA Cup, and the EFL Cup. He was also part of the English national team which finished fourth at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 5 
Didier Drogba
(Football player)
Didier Drogba
19
Birthdate: March 11, 1978
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
 6 
Mario Balotelli
(Italian Football Player Who Plays as a Striker)
Mario Balotelli
35
Birthdate: August 12, 1990
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Palermo, Italy
The talented but crazy Italian striker Mario Balotelli is one of the most intriguing and exciting footballers around. Love him or hate him, TIME Magazine in 2013 called him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
 7 
Samuel Eto'o
(Footballer)
Samuel Eto'o
20
Birthdate: March 10, 1981
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Douala, Cameroon
 8 
Eusébio
(Legendary Portuguese Footballer Known for His Speed and Exceptional Goal-Scoring Abilities)
Eusébio
8
Birthdate: January 25, 1942
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Maputo, Mozambique
Died: January 5, 2014

Considered one of the most successful African-origin footballers of all time, Eusébio, or the Black Panther, was born in the Portuguese Mozambique and grew up to represent the Portuguese national team as a striker. He also had a great stint with the club Benfica, having won the Primeira Liga with them 11 times.

 9 
Lilian Thuram
(French Professional Footballer Who Played as a Defender)
Lilian Thuram
16
Birthdate: January 1, 1972
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, France

French former footballer Lilian Thuram, who is now a renowned author, with books on racism such as White Thinking to his credit. His 142 appearances for the French national team made him the most capped player of his country, while he was part of the 1998 FIFA World Cup-winning squad.

 10 
Ruud Gullit
(One of the Greatest Football Players of All Time)
Ruud Gullit
13
Birthdate: September 1, 1962
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Ruud Gullit is a Dutch former football player. Considered one of the greatest players in the history of football, Gullit was known for his versatility as he could play as an attacking midfielder, forward, or midfielder. During the 1988 UEFA European Football Championship, he led his national team to its first title.

 11 
Marcelo
(Brazilian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Left-Back)
Marcelo
6
Birthdate: May 12, 1988
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Brazilian footballer Marcelo Vieira, who now captains the Spanish club Real Madrid, is known as one of the world’s best left-backs. The Rio-born football star has previously had a successful stint with the Brazilian club Fluminense. He also won Brazil a team bronze and a team silver at the Olympics.

 12 
George Weah
(25th President of Liberia and the First African Former Professional Footballer to Become a Head of State.)
George Weah
19
Birthdate: October 1, 1966
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Clara Town, Liberia
George Weah, who has been the president of Liberia since 2018, was once a star footballer. The striker was named the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year, and played for clubs such as A.C. Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. Following his retirement, he established the Congress for Democratic Change.
 13 
Ansu Fati
(Football forwarder position)
Ansu Fati
3
Birthdate: October 31, 2002
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
 14 
Ian Wright
(Former Professional Footballer: Now a Television and Radio Personality )
Ian Wright
20
Birthdate: November 3, 1963
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Woolwich, London, United Kingdom

Ian Wright is an English former football player. Renowned for his speed, Wright played for popular clubs like Arsenal and helped his national team qualify for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. After retiring from the sport, Wright went on to become a TV and radio personality; he currently contributes as a commentator for ITV Sport and BBC Sport.

 15 
Patrick Kluivert
(Retired Dutch Football Striker)
Patrick Kluivert
9
Birthdate: July 1, 1976
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Patrick Kluivert was one of the star Dutch footballers of his time who played as a striker for clubs such as Ajax, Barcelona, and AC Milan. The UEFA Euro 2000 Golden Boot winner has also managed teams such as Netherlands and Cameroon. He later held administrative positions at Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

 16 
Sadio Mané
(Senegalese Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Forward)
Sadio Mané
38
Birthdate: April 10, 1992
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Bambali, Senegal

Sadio Mané is one of the greatest Senegalese football players of all time. He is Senegal's fifth all-time top goal-scorer and was named African Footballer of the Year in 2020. One of Liverpool's key players, Sadio serves as an inspiration to youngsters as he succeeded as a footballer in spite of his father forbidding him from playing as a child.

 17 
David Alaba
(Austrian Footballer Who Plays as a Midfielder and Defender)
David Alaba
8
Birthdate: June 24, 1992
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria

David Alaba is an Austrian football player who currently plays for the Real Madrid Club de Fútbol and the Austria national football team. Best known for his versatility, Alaba can play as a midfielder and defender. Counted among the greatest defenders of his generation, David Alaba is a two-time Austrian Sports Personality of the Year recipient.  

 18 
Raheem Sterling
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Winger and Attacking Midfielder)
Raheem Sterling
12
Birthdate: December 8, 1994
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica

Professional footballer Raheem Sterling currently plays as a winger and attacking midfielder for Premier League club Manchester City. He also plays for the England national team. Born in Jamaica, he moved to England as a child and started playing professional football when he was a teenager. He was named the FWA Footballer of the Year in the 2018-19 season.

 19 
Virgil van Dijk
(Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Centre-Back)
Virgil van Dijk
15
Birthdate: July 8, 1991
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Breda, Netherlands

Dutch footballer Virgil van Dijk plays as a defender for Liverpool and has won several titles, such as a Premier League, with them. Starting his senior career with Groningen, he later played for teams such as Celtic and Southampton. He is the only defender to be named the UEFA Men's Player of the Year.

 20 
Marcel Desailly
(French Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Centre-Back)
Marcel Desailly
10
Birthdate: September 7, 1968
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Accra, Ghana

Born in Ghana, Marcel Desailly first gained attention after moving to the Olympique de Marseille and winning the UEFA Champions League. He then gained fame with AC Milan and Chelsea, and was part of the 1998 World Cup-winning French squad. A BBC Sport pundit post-retirement, he also represents UNICEF

 21 
Vincent Kompany
(Retired Belgian Football Centre-Back)
Vincent Kompany
8
Birthdate: April 10, 1986
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Uccle, Belgium

Considered one of the fittest central defenders of the world, retired Belgian footballer Vincent Kompany had a successful stint with Manchester City, winning 4 Premier League titles, among other championships, with them. Post-retirement, the star footballer had turned to coaching and now manages the English club Burnley.

 22 
Jérôme Boateng
(German Football Defender Known for His Association with 'Bayern Munich')
Jérôme Boateng
19
Birthdate: September 3, 1988
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Berlin, Germany

Starting his career with the club Tennis Borussia Berlin, German footballer Jérôme Boateng later had a decade-long association with Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga 9 times and the UEFA Champions League twice with Bayern. The talented center-back was also part of the 2014 FIFA World Cup-winning German squad.

 23 
Kingsley Coman
(Footballer)
Kingsley Coman
24
Birthdate: June 13, 1996
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Paris, France
 24 
Benjamin Mendy
(Association football player)
Benjamin Mendy
13
Birthdate: July 17, 1994
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Longjumeau
 25 
Tammy Abraham
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Tammy Abraham
20
Birthdate: October 2, 1997
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Camberwell, England

Tammy Abraham is an English footballer. He currently plays as a striker for Serie A club Roma and the England national team. He is an academy graduate of Chelsea and made his first-team debut for the club in 2016. Since then, he has played for Bristol City and Aston Villa, scoring 25 goals in a single campaign for the team. 

 26 
Antonio Valencia
(Football player)
Antonio Valencia
4
Birthdate: August 4, 1985
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Nueva Loja, Ecuador
 27 
Jay-Jay Okocha
(Footballer)
Jay-Jay Okocha
9
Birthdate: August 14, 1973
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Enugu, Nigeria
 28 
Samuel Umtiti
(Association football player)
Samuel Umtiti
15
Birthdate: November 14, 1993
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Yaoundé

Samuel Umtiti is a French football player who currently plays for the France national team and Barcelona. Over the years, Umtiti has helped Barcelona win two La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey. He was part of the 2018 team that won the World Cup; Umtiti scored the only goal to help France beat Belgium in the semi-final match. 

 29 
Sami Khedira
(Former footballer central midfielder position)
Sami Khedira
14
Birthdate: April 4, 1987
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Stuttgart, Germany
 30 
Michael Essien
(Footballer)
Michael Essien
8
Birthdate: December 3, 1982
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Accra
 31 
Blaise Matuidi
(Association football player)
Blaise Matuidi
14
Birthdate: April 9, 1987
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Toulouse

Blaise Matuidi is a French football player who has represented the France national team in prominent tournaments like FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Football Championships. He also played a major role in helping his team win the 2018 World Cup. Referred to as a strong and fierce tackler, Blaise Matuidi is renowned for his energy and physical strength.

 32 
Kalidou Koulibaly
(Footballer Centre-back)
Kalidou Koulibaly
6
Birthdate: June 20, 1991
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, France

Born to Senegalese parents in France, Kalidou Koulibaly initially played for France U20 and then captained the Senegal national team. He took Senegal to the finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He has often opened up about racism, especially after once being called a “monkey” by a Florentina fan.

 33 
Kelechi Iheanacho
(Nigerian footballer)
Kelechi Iheanacho
9
Birthdate: October 3, 1996
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Imo, Nigeria
 34 
Chris Smalling
(Footballer centre-back)
Chris Smalling
7
Birthdate: November 22, 1989
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Greenwich, England, United Kingdom
 35 
Abedi Pele
(Footballer)
Abedi Pele
7
Birthdate: November 5, 1964
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kyebi, Ghana
 36 
Emmanuel Adebayor
(Football Striker)
Emmanuel Adebayor
10
Birthdate: February 26, 1984
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Lomé, Togo
 37 
Roger Milla
(Footballer)
Roger Milla
9
Birthdate: May 20, 1952
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Yaoundé
 38 
Kurt Zouma
(Association football player)
Kurt Zouma
10
Birthdate: October 27, 1994
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Lyon

Kurt Zouma is a French football player who currently plays for the France national team as well as the West Ham United of Premier League. Zouma, who made his professional debut at the age of 16, was named in the ten most promising young players list by The Observer. Kurt Zouma has won prestigious titles, including two Premier League titles.

 39 
John Obi Mikel
(Nigerian footballer)
John Obi Mikel
8
Birthdate: April 22, 1987
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Jos, Nigeria
 40 
Juan Cuadrado
(Colombian Footballer Who Plays as a Midfielder & Defender)
Juan Cuadrado
8
Birthdate: May 26, 1988
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Necoclí, Colombia

Juan Cuadrado is a Colombian football player who has been representing the Colombia national football team since 2010. Renowned for his pace and dribbling skills, Juan Cuadrado is an important player for his national side. He also currently represents the Juventus Football Club and has won many championship titles for the team.

 41 
Édouard Mendy
(Footballer goalkeeper)
Édouard Mendy
4
Birthdate: March 1, 1992
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Montivilliers, France
 42 
Moussa Sissoko
(French Professional Footballer Who Plays as Midfielder)
Moussa Sissoko
6
Birthdate: August 16, 1989
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Le Blanc-Mesnil, France

Moussa Sissoko is a French professional footballer. He plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Watford and the France national team. He is known for his ability to play as a box-to-box midfielder in the center of the pitch. He initially played for local clubs and made his professional debut in the 2007–08 season.  

 43 
Alphonso Davies
(Canadian Professional Soccer Player Who Plays as a Left-Back or Winger)
Alphonso Davies
2
Birthdate: November 2, 2000
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Buduburam, Ghana
 44 
Freddy Adu
(American Professional Football Attacking Midfielder)
Freddy Adu
12
Birthdate: June 2, 1989
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Tema, Ghana

Freddy Adu is an American soccer player who was touted as the next Pelé when he was 14 years old. However, he did not live up to the expectations and has since been a journeyman, playing for several teams in different countries. He currently plays for Österlen FF, a Swedish Division 1 club. He has also represented his national team.

 45 
Eric Bailly
(Football player)
Eric Bailly
8
Birthdate: April 12, 1994
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Bingerville, Côte d’Ivoire
 46 
Ryan Babel
(Dutch Footballer Who Can Play as a Striker or Left Winger)
Ryan Babel
5
Birthdate: December 19, 1986
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dutch footballer Ryan Babel who plays as both a striker and a midfielder, currently represents the Turkish club Eyüpspor. Starting his senior career with Ajax, he won both the KNVB Cup and the Eredivisie twice with them. He was also part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup runner-up Dutch team.

 47 
Nwankwo Kanu
(Footballer)
Nwankwo Kanu
7
Birthdate: August 1, 1976
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Owerri
 48 
Leroy Sané
(German Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Winger)
Leroy Sané
15
Birthdate: January 11, 1996
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Essen, Germany

Leroy Sané is a German professional football player who played a prominent role in helping Manchester City win the EFL Cup and the Premier League for which he was named PFA Young Player of the Year for the 2017–18 season. Also an important member of the German national team, Sané can also represent France as he also holds French citizenship.

 49 
Tyrone Mings
(Football Player)
Tyrone Mings
9
Birthdate: March 13, 1993
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Bath, England, UK
 50 
Georginio Wijnaldum
(Dutch Football Midfielder)
Georginio Wijnaldum
5
Birthdate: November 11, 1990
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Rotterdam, Netherlands

Dutch footballer Georginio Wijnaldum plays as a midfielder for the Italian club Roma and the French club Paris Saint-Germain. Starting his youth career with Feyenoord, as the youngest-ever player of the club, he later had successful stints with Liverpool and PSV and was the 2014 FIFA World Cup third-place-winning Dutch squad.