# Who is the best African player in Real Madrid history?

> Real Madrid have drawn African stars to the Bernabéu across eras, from Samuel Eto'o's brief but brilliant spell to Achraf Hakimi's swashbuckling full-back runs, with players representing Cameroon, Morocco, Algeria and across the continent.

*By YPB Team · Published April 22, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-african-player-in-real-madrid-history*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Samuel Eto'o**
   Cameroon striker who began his career at Real Madrid from 1997, spending time on loan before flourishing at Barcelona — ranked as the greatest African to represent either El Clasico giant.
2. **Mahamadou Diarra**
   Mali defensive midfielder who made 128 appearances from 2006 to 2011, providing physicality and winning two La Liga titles and the Copa del Rey.
3. **Geremi**
   Cameroon midfielder named by coach Del Bosque as one who 'made the team', winning two Champions League titles and the La Liga during his 1999-2003 spell.
4. **Michael Essien**
   Ghana midfielder who joined on loan in 2012 to reunite with Jose Mourinho, making 35 appearances and rediscovering his best form.
5. **Achraf Hakimi**
   Morocco right-back who was part of Real Madrid's 2018 Champions League-winning squad, making 17 appearances before his breakthrough loan to Borussia Dortmund.
6. **Emmanuel Adebayor**
   Togo striker who arrived on loan from Manchester City in January 2011, scoring 8 goals in 22 games including a hat-trick against Almeria.
7. **Brahim Diaz**
   Morocco attacking midfielder who joined from Manchester City in 2019, spending three successful loan seasons at AC Milan before establishing himself at the Bernabeu.
8. **Javier Balboa**
   Equatorial Guinea winger who rose through Real Madrid's system 2006-08, notably scoring in a Champions League match against Olympiacos.
9. **Valdo Lopes**
   Cape Verde winger who had brief opportunities in Real Madrid's galacticos era squad in 2002-03, a trailblazer for Cape Verdean football.
10. **Mutiu Adepoju**
   Nigeria international midfielder who trained extensively with Real Madrid from 1989 to 1992, making a name in the Castilla setup before a career in Spanish football.

Tags: africa, sports, football, players, champions league