Two decades separate the Teranga pioneers of the 1980s from the squad that finally lifted the continental trophy, and every generation between them has a case here. Pick the Lion who mattered most.
1Sadio ManéSenegal's record scorer and talisman who captained the Lions of Teranga to their first AFCON title in 2022 and two World Cups.1000pts
2Cheikhou KouyatéVeteran midfielder and former captain with over 90 caps spanning the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and the 2022 AFCON win.656pts
3El Hadji DioufTwo-time African Footballer of the Year who starred in Senegal's run to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals, including the win over holders France.656pts
4Kalidou KoulibalyCommanding centre-back and national team captain who lifted the 2022 AFCON trophy and anchored the defence at two World Cups.636pts
5Iliman NdiayeSkilful forward who became a key attacker for Senegal after the 2022 World Cup and starred at AFCON 2025.615pts
6Papa Bouba DiopTowering midfielder who scored Senegal's first ever World Cup goal, the winner against France in the 2002 opening match.614pts
7Krépin DiattaVersatile winger named in the AFCON 2019 team of the tournament and an AFCON champion in 2022.568pts
8Aliou CisséCaptain of the 2002 World Cup side who later coached Senegal to its first AFCON title as manager in 2022.515pts
9Édouard MendyGoalkeeper of the 2022 AFCON-winning side, named best keeper of the tournament a year after winning the Champions League with Chelsea.454pts
10Ferdinand ColyMarauding right-back of the 2002 World Cup and AFCON runners-up side.454pts
11Demba BaPremier League striker who scored Senegal's goal against Equatorial Guinea at AFCON 2012 and netted 4 goals in 22 caps.384pts
12Habib BeyeElegant right-back and national team captain in the mid-2000s with more than 30 caps.303pts
13Salif DiaoBox-to-box midfielder who scored a memorable team goal against Denmark at the 2002 World Cup.303pts
14Ismaïla SarrRapid winger who scored twice at AFCON 2022, including a penalty in the final, and at two World Cups.303pts
15Omar DafLeft-back of the 2002 World Cup quarter-finalists who went on to a long coaching career in France.303pts
16Mamadou NiangMarseille striker who captained Senegal and finished among the team's all-time leading scorers.303pts
17Moussa SowClinical forward who scored 18 goals for Senegal, including key strikes at AFCON 2012 and 2017.206pts
18Idrissa GueyeTireless midfield engine with over 100 caps, a pillar of the 2022 AFCON title and three World Cup squads.206pts
19Diomansy KamaraLively forward who led Senegal's attack at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team reached the semi-finals.206pts
20Papiss CisséNewcastle striker who led Senegal's attack at AFCON 2012 and 2015 with his sharp finishing.0pts
21Abdou DialloCentre-back who scored in the AFCON 2022 semi-final on the way to Senegal's first continental title.0pts
22Boulaye DiaStriker who scored Senegal's first goal of the 2022 World Cup in the win over Qatar.0pts
Photo credits
- Sadio Mané — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cheikhou Kouyaté — Happiraphael, CC BY-SA 4.0
- El Hadji Diouf — Alasdair Middleton from Rothesay, Scotland, CC BY 2.0
- Kalidou Koulibaly — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Iliman Ndiaye — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Papa Bouba Diop — Aga, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Krépin Diatta — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Aliou Cissé — Екатерина Лаут, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Édouard Mendy — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ferdinand Coly — Serigne diagne, CC BY 2.0
- Demba Ba — Ultraslansi, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Habib Beye — DAKARACTU TV HD, CC BY 3.0
- Salif Diao — Ronnie Macdonald, CC BY 2.0
- Ismaïla Sarr — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mamadou Niang — Doha Stadium Plus Qatar, CC BY 2.0
- Moussa Sow — Екатерина Лаут, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Papiss Cissé — Jon Candy, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Abdou Diallo — Happiraphael, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Boulaye Dia — Bigmatbasket, CC BY-SA 4.0
