The Best Muslim Players In The World Of Football

There are no more popular sports across the planet than football. The sport engrosses millions of fans across the world, with the Middle East being one of the most popular locations. The Arab world has an adorning fan base revolving around the sport, which is only growing after the Qatar World Cup in 2022. While local leagues attract fans in the country, it remains the top European leagues that fans resonate closest with, as the world’s best players take to the field weekly to compete for the biggest club sides on the planet. This popularity shows no sign of stopping, with the best betting site in the Middle East now offering hundreds of betting opportunities to football fans.

However, the Arab world will be hoping for more international success in the coming years. Some of the best Muslim players represent the biggest teams, but who are among the best Muslim players?

Mohamed Salah

There are few more recognizable players in the world of football than Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian is a hero in his homeland and is considered among the greatest players on the planet, as well as one of the best African footballers of all time. His speed and finishing ability have seen him become a huge star in the European game, with the best years of his career coming at Liverpool.

Salah joined the Reds for £37 million in 2017, and he quickly made his impression felt by scoring a Premier League record of 32 goals. Salah would then win the first piece of silverware for Liverpool in 2018-19, as he scored in the club’s 2-0 Champions League final success against Tottenham Hotspur. The Egyptian would enjoy another stellar season in 2019-20, as he scored19 goals in 34 league matches, as Liverpool won their first top-flight title in 30 years. Salah’s performances have also seen him win the FA Cup, EFL Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup with the Reds. 

N’Golo Kante 

It could be argued that there are very likable players in the world of football than N’Golo Kante. The defensive midfielder always plays with a smile on his face and has been considered the best player in his position since arriving in the English game.

Kante moved to the Premier League in 2015 when he signed for Leicester City. It was an indication of how talented he is that he played an integral role in one of the biggest upsets in sporting history as Leicester City landed the Premier League title in 2016, despite being listed at 5000/1 at the start of the campaign. Kante then moved to Chelsea for over £30 million in 2017, before landing the Premier League title in his first season.

That feat saw him become the first player since Eric Cantona to land successive top-flight titles in England with different clubs. The midfielder continued to play a significant role for the Blues, as they won the Champions League, Europa League, and FIFA Club World Cup over the following seasons. Kante would also land the illustrious World Cup with France in 2018, forming a dynamic partnership with Paul Pogba in the middle of midfield.

Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema has been revered as one of the world’s greatest strikers throughout his career. Benzema made his first steps in the professional game with Lyon in 2004, scoring 43 goals in 112 games before leaving France to sign for Real Madrid. It has been during his time in La Liga that he has seen his reputation reach new heights. The Frenchman is the second-highest scorer in the history of the club, while he holds the record for the most assists for the Spanish giants.

During his career with the Spanish giants, Benzema has won 24 major trophies. However, he has stepped up for the club since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008. Since Ronaldo’s exit, the striker has been named in the La Liga Team of the Season in four straight seasons and has won the La Liga Best Player award on two occasions.

The striker claimed a fifth Champions League honor in 2022 and ended the competition as the top scorer for the first time. His performances throughout Real’s campaign were stunning, and that later saw him awarded the Ballon d’Or, becoming one of the only Muslim players to win the prestigious accolade. The success also saw him become the second-oldest player in history to land the accolade. 

Final Thoughts

We have identified just three of the best Muslim players in the world today, but the success that has been achieved throughout history by players with the religion can’t be underestimated. The prolonged success enjoyed by Muslim players means that it is likely that they have managed to inspire the next generation of stars.