Napoli icon Osimhen knocks Salah off his perch as Africa's most valuable player

Nigeria Super Eagles forward and SSC Napoli legend Victor Osimhen has been named the most valuable African footballer in the world.

Osimhen was listed amongst the top 100 most valuable footballers in the world at the moment by the CIES Football Observatory.

As reported by Pulse Sports Nigeria, the list came from the latest issue from the reliable statistical body, CIES Football.

According to the CIES report, the list was put together using a statistical model that was developed exclusively by them.

The model valued Osimhen, who became a hero in Naples after he inspired Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years, at €77.3 million.

That valuation ranked the 24-year-old 40th in the world, making him the highest-ranked African in the top 100.

With that valuation, he beats Liverpool and Egypt’s superstar Mohamed Salah, who is valued at €61.2 million.

There were other two Africans on the list, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, valued at €53.7 million and Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus, valued at €53.5 million.

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland was ranked as the most valuable footballer at the moment based on transfer values.

Haaland, who also led his club to domestic success in England, has an estimated value of €245.5 million.

The 22-year-old beats off competition from Vinicius Junior, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes, who all make up the top five most valuable footballers in the world.