# The 22 Best Senegal National Team Players of All Time

> 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.

*By YPB Team · Published October 24, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-22-best-senegal-national-team-players-of-all-time*

---

## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Sadio Mané** — score 1000/1000
   Senegal's record scorer and talisman who captained the Lions of Teranga to their first AFCON title in 2022 and two World Cups.
2. **Cheikhou Kouyaté** — score 656/1000
   Veteran midfielder and former captain with over 90 caps spanning the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and the 2022 AFCON win.
3. **El Hadji Diouf** — score 656/1000
   Two-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.
4. **Kalidou Koulibaly** — score 636/1000
   Commanding centre-back and national team captain who lifted the 2022 AFCON trophy and anchored the defence at two World Cups.
5. **Iliman Ndiaye** — score 615/1000
   Skilful forward who became a key attacker for Senegal after the 2022 World Cup and starred at AFCON 2025.
6. **Papa Bouba Diop** — score 614/1000
   Towering midfielder who scored Senegal's first ever World Cup goal, the winner against France in the 2002 opening match.
7. **Krépin Diatta** — score 568/1000
   Versatile winger named in the AFCON 2019 team of the tournament and an AFCON champion in 2022.
8. **Aliou Cissé** — score 515/1000
   Captain of the 2002 World Cup side who later coached Senegal to its first AFCON title as manager in 2022.
9. **Édouard Mendy** — score 454/1000
   Goalkeeper of the 2022 AFCON-winning side, named best keeper of the tournament a year after winning the Champions League with Chelsea.
10. **Ferdinand Coly** — score 454/1000
   Marauding right-back of the 2002 World Cup and AFCON runners-up side.
11. **Demba Ba** — score 384/1000
   Premier League striker who scored Senegal's goal against Equatorial Guinea at AFCON 2012 and netted 4 goals in 22 caps.
12. **Habib Beye** — score 303/1000
   Elegant right-back and national team captain in the mid-2000s with more than 30 caps.
13. **Salif Diao** — score 303/1000
   Box-to-box midfielder who scored a memorable team goal against Denmark at the 2002 World Cup.
14. **Ismaïla Sarr** — score 303/1000
   Rapid winger who scored twice at AFCON 2022, including a penalty in the final, and at two World Cups.
15. **Omar Daf** — score 303/1000
   Left-back of the 2002 World Cup quarter-finalists who went on to a long coaching career in France.
16. **Mamadou Niang** — score 303/1000
   Marseille striker who captained Senegal and finished among the team's all-time leading scorers.
17. **Moussa Sow** — score 206/1000
   Clinical forward who scored 18 goals for Senegal, including key strikes at AFCON 2012 and 2017.
18. **Idrissa Gueye** — score 206/1000
   Tireless midfield engine with over 100 caps, a pillar of the 2022 AFCON title and three World Cup squads.
19. **Diomansy Kamara** — score 206/1000
   Lively forward who led Senegal's attack at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team reached the semi-finals.
20. **Papiss Cissé** — score 0/1000
   Newcastle striker who led Senegal's attack at AFCON 2012 and 2015 with his sharp finishing.
21. **Abdou Diallo** — score 0/1000
   Centre-back who scored in the AFCON 2022 semi-final on the way to Senegal's first continental title.
22. **Boulaye Dia** — score 0/1000
   Striker who scored Senegal's first goal of the 2022 World Cup in the win over Qatar.

Tags: africa, sports, football, players, national teams, senegal