Franck Kessie is one of Africa’s most accomplished footballers and among the most dominant midfielders of his generation.
Renowned for his physical strength, tireless work rate, ball-winning ability, and knack for scoring crucial goals, the Ivorian international has enjoyed a career that has taken him from the Ivory Coast to the top levels of Italian and Spanish football before becoming a key figure in the Saudi Pro League.
Currently, Kessie plays for Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ahli, having joined the club from Barcelona in August 2023. His arrival was one of the marquee transfers of the Saudi Pro League’s ambitious recruitment drive, and he has since established himself as a leader in midfield for one of the league’s strongest sides.
At the international level, Kessie remains one of the most important players for the Ivory Coast national team. As of 2026, he has earned more than 85 caps and scored over 15 international goals, playing a pivotal role in the Elephants’ triumph at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and cementing his legacy as one of the country’s finest midfielders.
Salary
Following his move to Al-Ahli, Kessie signed a contract running until June 30, 2026. The deal elevated him into the ranks of Africa’s highest-paid footballers, reflecting both his pedigree and experience at the highest level of European football.
Reports suggest the Ivorian midfielder earns approximately €20 million annually in Saudi Arabia, a substantial increase from his earnings during his time at Barcelona and AC Milan. His contract also includes various performance-related bonuses and commercial incentives.
| Salary Period | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|
| Annual Salary | $22,800,000 |
| Monthly Salary | $1,900,000 |
| Weekly Salary | $438,462 |
| Daily Salary | $62,637 |
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Market Value
According to Transfermarkt, the 29-year-old midfielder currently holds a market value of €12 million as of June 2026.
While his valuation has declined from the peak years of his career, Kessie remains one of the most valuable midfielders in the Saudi Pro League. His highest market value came during his outstanding spell at AC Milan, when he established himself among the elite box-to-box midfielders in world football and reached a valuation of €55 million.
| Date | Market Value | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07.01.2015 | €700,000 | 18 | Atalanta |
| 01.16.2017 | €15,000,000 | 20 | Atalanta |
| 06.05.2018 | €35,000,000 | 21 | AC Milan |
| 12.27.2019 | €40,000,000 | 23 | AC Milan |
| 06.08.2021 | €55,000,000 | 24 | AC Milan |
| 09.22.2022 | €45,000,000 | 25 | Barcelona |
| 06.20.2023 | €30,000,000 | 26 | Barcelona |
| 12.18.2024 | €15,000,000 | 28 | Al-Ahli |
| 06.01.2026 | €12,000,000 | 29 | Al-Ahli |
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Career
Franck Kessie’s rise is one of the most remarkable stories in African football, taking him from the Ivory Coast to some of Europe’s biggest clubs before becoming a star in Saudi Arabia.
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Stella Club & Atalanta development (2010–2017): Kessie began his career at Stella Club in Ivory Coast before earning a move to Italian side Atalanta. After a successful loan spell at Cesena, he returned to Atalanta and emerged as one of Serie A’s most exciting young midfielders thanks to his athleticism, tackling, and ability to contribute goals from midfield.
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AC Milan breakthrough (2017–2022): Kessie joined AC Milan initially on loan before the move became permanent. During five successful seasons at San Siro, he became one of the club’s most important players, helping Milan return to the summit of Italian football. He played a crucial role in the Rossoneri’s 2021/22 Serie A title-winning campaign and earned widespread recognition as one of Europe’s best box-to-box midfielders.
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Barcelona (2022–2023): After leaving Milan as a free agent, Kessie signed for Barcelona. Although he spent only one season at Camp Nou, he helped the Catalan giants win La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. One of the highlights of his spell came when he scored the decisive goal in a dramatic El Clásico victory over Real Madrid.
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Al-Ahli (2023–Present): In August 2023, Al-Ahli secured Kessie’s signature as part of the Saudi Pro League’s expansion project. Since arriving, he has become a midfield leader alongside stars such as Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino, helping establish the club as one of the strongest teams in Saudi Arabia.
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Accolades & Highlights
Kessie enters the latter stages of his career as one of the most decorated African midfielders of the modern era.
His trophy collection includes league titles in both Italy and Spain, while his performances for AC Milan earned him a reputation as one of the most complete midfielders in world football. During the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons, he was among Europe’s most productive midfielders, regularly contributing goals, assists, and dominant defensive displays.
His crowning achievement at international level came in 2024 when he helped lead Ivory Coast to victory at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Throughout the tournament, Kessie delivered several crucial performances and played a vital leadership role as the Elephants secured their third continental title.
For Ivory Coast, Kessie remains a symbol of consistency, leadership, and excellence. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Ivorian midfielders of his generation, he continues to play a key role for both club and country while serving as an inspiration to the next wave of African football talent.
