AFCON 2025: Historic Semi-Finals To Feature All African Ballon d’Or Winners Since 2017

AFCON 2025: Historic Semi-Finals To Feature All African Ballon d’Or Winners Since 2017

Sampson Adedeji

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has reached a historic milestone, with the semi-final stage set to showcase every African Ballon d’Or winner from 2017 to 2025, underlining the elite quality on display at the tournament, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

For the first time in AFCON history, the last four teams remaining in the competition boast players who have all been crowned Africa’s best footballer in recent years, a convergence many observers have described as the very summit of African football.

Egypt’s talisman Mohamed Salah, Africa’s Ballon d’Or winner in both 2017 and 2018, leads the Pharaohs’ charge as they seek another continental crown.

Senegal is represented by Sadio Mané, winner of the prestigious individual award in 2019 and again in 2022, whose influence remains central to the Teranga Lions’ ambitions.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles arrive with formidable star power of their own, featuring Victor Osimhen, the 2023 African Ballon d’Or recipient, alongside Ademola Lookman, who claimed the 2024 honour after a standout year at club and international level.

Hosts Morocco complete the quartet, inspired by Achraf Hakimi, the reigning 2025 African Ballon d’Or winner, whose leadership and consistency have been pivotal to the Atlas Lions’ impressive run in the tournament.

The African Ballon d’Or was not awarded in 2020 and 2021 due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, making the current convergence of winners even more remarkable.

As AFCON 2025 heads into its decisive phase, the semi-finals promise high-quality football, global star appeal, and a fitting showcase of Africa’s finest talents, with the continent’s most decorated individual performers all battling for collective continental glory.