African footballers have consistently topped the goalscoring charts across major European leagues, producing remarkable numbers and cementing their names in the history books, while also regularly competing for the golden boot.
From the highly competitive English Premier League, to the Spanish La Liga, French Ligue One, German Bundesliga and the Italian Serie A, this list reveals the five African players who have scored the most goals in the history of these competitions.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (244 goals)
Gabon forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored the most goals by an African footballer in major European leagues, with his tally of 244 from 480 matches. The 36-year-old has played for the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona and currently plies his trade with Olympique Marseille in the French Ligue One.
Aubameyang has also provided 67 assists, while he won the golden boot once in the Bundesliga and also in the English Premier League.
Mohamed Salah (226 goals)
Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah ranks second on this list with his goal haul of 226 coming from a total of 403 matches. The 33-year-old started his career slowly at Chelsea, but enjoyed a decent spell at Italian side AS Roma, before cementing his status as one of African’s best ever players at Liverpool.
Salah has won the Premier League golden boot four times, including during the 2024-25 season when he helped the Reds to a record-equalling 20th English league title, while he also holds multiple records in the league.
Salah and four other highest scoring Africans in a single European league season
Samuel Eto’o (209 goals)
Regarded as one of the greatest African footballers in history, Samuel Eto’o scored 209 goals during his playing career in spells across the likes of Mallorca, Barcelona, Chelsea, Everton and Sampdoria.
The Cameroon legend made 401 appearances in total and also provided 14 assists, while 25 of his goals were from the penalty spot. He also won the Pichichi trophy awarded to the Spanish La Liga’s top scorer during the 2005-06 season with Barcelona.
Didier Drogba (143 goals)
Ivorian legend Didier Drogba was well known for his goalscoring exploits and big-game mentality during his time at Premier League club Chelsea and he ended his playing career with 143 goals from 334 appearances across the European top five leagues.
The two-time African footballer of the year award winner impressively scored only eight of his goals from the penalty spot, while he was also a recipient of the Premier League golden boot on two different occasions.
Kanu, Drogba and 3 other African greats without an AFCON title
Frederic Kanoute (141 goals)
Mali legend Frederic Kanoute is remembered as the first player born outside Africa to win the African footballer of the year award, but also made waves during his playing career with his goalscoring ability.
The former Sevilla forward completes this list with his tally of 141 goals and 16 assists from 393 appearances which also spanned spells for the likes of Olympique Lyon, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.
