AFCON most valuable XI: Cameroonians, Nigerians, Senegalese & Co.
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 23.12.25. | 21:03
The Indomitable Lions, Super Eagles, and Lions of Teranga have six representatives in the most valuable lineup, while Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi is its costliest member
Whenever a major football tournament begins, the values of the teams and players are an unavoidable topic. Not only because they change throughout the competition based on the participants' performances, but also because of the famous "Most valuable XI".
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was no exception, and the starting lineup built from the most lucrative players from AFCON squads has drawn the public's attention.
The 11 players come from eight different national teams. Senegal, Cameroon, and Nigeria have two each, while Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt have one apiece. The total value of the lineup is €559 million!
💰🔥 The most expensive XI in AFCON is out! 🌍
— DC (@utd_Dc49) December 22, 2025
🚀 Achraf Hakimi leads the lineup, with Victor Osimhen and Bryan Mbeumo also included. Africa’s top talent on full display, who else do you think should make the list? ⚽✨ pic.twitter.com/p2BbEmRObK
The Lions of Teranga and the Ligue 1 side Nice custodian, Yehvann Diouf, is between the posts, while the Elephants' Ousmane Diomande, who plays for Sporting Lisbon, and Bayer Leverkusen's Burkinabe Edmond Tapsoba form the centre-back tandem.
The only Algerian in the XI, Man City's Rayan Ait-Nouri, is positioned on the left defensive flank, while the most expensive of all 11 players, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain, is on the opposite side.
The Premier League duo from Senegal and Cameroon, Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham) and Carlos Baleba (Brighton), make up a central part of the midfield, while the position in front of them is reserved for Atalanta's Super Eagle Ademola Lookman.
A player of each of the Manchester giants attacks over the two flanks. Last night's scorer for Egypt and Ait-Nouri's Man City teammate, Omar Marmoush, plays on the left side, while United's Indomitable Lion Bryan Mbeumo is on the right wing.
Finally, the place in the centre of the attack belongs to one of the most lavish strikers in the world, Victor Osimhen of Nigeria and Galatasaray.
2025 AFCON MOST VALUABLE XI (according to Transfermarkt)
Yehvann Diouf (Senegal) €9 million
Ousmane Diomande (Ivory Coast) €45 million
Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso) €35 million
Rayan Ait-Nouri (Algeria) €40 million
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) €80 million
Carlos Baleba (Cameroon) €60 million
Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal) €35 million
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) €40 million
Omar Marmoush (Egypt) €65 million
Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon) €75 million
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) €75 million
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