223 articles
Leon Balogun
Leon Balogun, German-Nigerian centre-back (born 1988), not the US striker Folarin Balogun; played for Mainz, Brighton, two Rangers spells (2021 title, 2022 Scottish Cup, Europa League final), QPR, Aris Limassol; 36 Nigeria caps, 2018 World Cup.
M'Baye Niang
M'Baye Hamady Niang, Senegalese forward born 1994 in Meulan, France; Caen academy prodigy, AC Milan, Torino, Rennes (2019 Coupe de France), Senegal at 2018 World Cup.
Mahamadou Doumbia
Mahamadou Doumbia (born 2004, Bamako) is a Malian midfielder for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, formerly Royal Antwerp, with 7 Mali caps; distinct from Watford forward Mamadou Doumbia (born 2006).
Mahamadou Sangaré
Mahamadou Sangaré (born 2007, Dionkoulané, Mali) is a French youth international forward; PSG academy U19 champion 2024, Manchester City from 2025, Al-Qadsiah FC from 2026. Not the Malian midfielder Mamadou Sangaré of Brentford.
Malick Yalcouyé
Malick Junior Yalcouyé (born 2005, Bandiagara, Mali) is a Malian-Ivorian central midfielder developed at ASEC Mimosas, sold by IFK Göteborg to Brighton in 2024, an Austrian champion on loan at Sturm Graz, then loaned to Swansea City.
Mamadou Doumbia (footballer, born 2006)
Mamadou Doumbia (born 2006) is a Malian centre-forward for Watford in the EFL Championship and the Mali national team; U-17 World Cup 2023 bronze medalist and hat-trick scorer versus Uzbekistan, distinct from the 2002, 2004, and 1995-born players of the same name.
Mamadou Thierno Barry
Mamadou Thierno Barry, born 2005, Senegalese centre-back; Mawade Wade academy, Tromsø IL, Union Saint-Gilloise (€2.6m, 2025), loaned to Al Shabab 2026. Distinct from Everton striker Thierno Mamadou Barry.
Mame Biram Diouf
Mame Biram Diouf, Senegalese striker born 1987 in Dakar; played for Molde, Manchester United, Hannover 96, Stoke City, and now Ankara Keçiörengücü; 2018 World Cup squad member with 47 Senegal caps per National Football Teams.
Manu Duah
Manu Duah (Kojo Manu Duah, born 2005) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a center-back for San Diego FC, selected first overall in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft.
Marc-Vivien Foé
Marc-Vivien Foé (1975-2003), Cameroonian midfielder for Lens, West Ham, Lyon, and Manchester City; won AFCON 2000 and 2002; died of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the 2003 Confederations Cup semi-final.
Mathias Pogba
Mathias Pogba, also known as Mathias Fassou Pogba, is a French-Guinean former footballer who played as a forward, won five caps for Guinea, and was convicted in 2024 of attempting to extort his brother Paul Pogba.
Max Gradel
Max-Alain Gradel, born 1987 in Abidjan, Ivorian left winger; Leicester, Leeds, Saint-Etienne, Bournemouth, Toulouse, Turkish clubs; 113 Ivory Coast caps, 18 goals; AFCON winner 2015 and 2023.
Maxwel Cornet
Maxwel Cornet (Gnaly Albert Maxwel Cornet), Ivorian forward born 1996 in Bregbo; ex-Metz, Lyon, Burnley; West Ham United player since 2022, Conference League winner 2023, Ivory Coast international.
Michael Essien
Michael Essien, Ghanaian midfielder born 1982 in Accra, 'The Bison': Lyon and Chelsea star, £24.4m 2005 transfer, 2012 Champions League winner, 59 Ghana caps, later coach at FC Nordsjælland.
Mikel John Obi
Mikel John Obi (John Michael Nchekwube Obinna), Nigerian defensive midfielder born 1987; 372 Chelsea games, 2012 Champions League winner, 2013 AFCON winner; 2006 transfer saga from Lyn Oslo contested by Manchester United; retired 2022.
Mobi Oparaku
Mobi Oparaku (Mobi Patrick Oparaku), born 1976 in Owerri, Nigeria, is a former right-back who won men's football gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, played at the 1998 World Cup, and won the 1993 U-17 World Cup.
Mohamed Ouédraogo
Mohamed Ouédraogo (born 2003) is a Burkinabè left-footed footballer, left-back or left midfielder, trained at Majestic SC, formerly SCR Altach, who joined Olympique Lyonnais in July 2026 for €2.2 million on a contract to 2031.
Mohamed Sissoko
Mohamed "Momo" Sissoko, born 1985 in Mont-Saint-Aignan, France, is a retired defensive midfielder for Mali (34 caps) who played for Valencia, Liverpool (87 apps), Juventus (97 apps), and PSG, winning La Liga 2004, UEFA Cup 2004, FA Cup 2006, and Ligue 1 2013; retired 2019. Distinct from Tottenham's Moussa Sissoko.
Mohammed Kudus
Mohammed Kudus (born 2000, Nima, Accra) is a Ghanaian winger for Tottenham Hotspur and Ghana. Right to Dream academy product; played for Nordsjælland, Ajax, and West Ham; £55m 2025 transfer; 2022 World Cup scorer.
Mor Talla Ndiaye
Mor Talla Ndiaye (born 2008) is a Senegalese left-footed centre-back who joined Liverpool FC from Amitie FC in January 2026 for about £1 million; a Senegal U17 World Cup player, distinct from midfielder Mor Ndiaye of Pogoń Szczecin.
Moussa Marega
Moussa Marega, born 1991 in Les Ulis, France, is a Malian forward and winger. Starred for FC Porto (178 apps, 71 goals, two league titles), won the 2021 AFC Champions League with Al-Hilal, later Al Sharjah and Al-Diriyah; 13 Mali caps.
Moussa Sow
Moussa Sow, Senegalese striker born 1986 in Mantes-la-Jolie; Lille's Ligue 1 top scorer (25 goals) and double winner 2011, Fenerbahçe's 2014 Turkish champion, 50 caps and 19 goals for Senegal, 2018 World Cup squad member, retired 2021.
Moussa Yeo
Moussa Kounfolo Yeo (born 2004, Bamako) is a Malian footballer, a right-footed forward and midfielder who played for FC Liefering and RB Salzburg before joining Swansea City in July 2026.
Naby Keïta
Naby Laye Keïta (born 1995), Guinean central midfielder; Horoya, Istres, Salzburg, RB Leipzig, Liverpool (2018-23, 129 apps, 11 goals, Champions League and Premier League winner), then Werder Bremen and Ferencváros; captain of Guinea.
Nampalys Mendy
Nampalys Mendy, Senegalese defensive midfielder born 1992 in La Seyne-sur-Mer; AFCON 2021 winner, ex-Monaco, Nice, Leicester City (2016-2023), Lens, Watford, and Metz; France youth international who debuted for Senegal in 2021.
Nicolas Jackson
Nicolas Jackson, Senegalese striker born in The Gambia; Casa Sports, Villarreal, Chelsea (2023-2026), Bayern Munich loan, then Aston Villa for £65m in 2026; Conference League and Club World Cup winner.
Nicolas Pépé
Nicolas Pépé (born 1995, Mantes-la-Jolie) is an Ivorian right winger for Villarreal and Ivory Coast; Lille star, Arsenal's £72m record signing, 2023 AFCON winner, 2026 World Cup player.
Nwankwo Kanu
Nwankwo Kanu (Nwankwo Christian Nwosu Kanu, born 1976, Owerri), Nigerian striker; 1996 Olympic gold captain, 1995 Champions League with Ajax, two Premier League titles with Arsenal, 2008 FA Cup with Portsmouth; founded Kanu Heart Foundation in 2000 after heart surgery.
Obafemi Martins
Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins (born 1984, Lagos) is a Nigerian former forward who starred for Inter Milan, Newcastle, Levante, and Seattle Sounders, scored 18 goals in 38 Nigeria caps, and retired in 2020.
Odion Ighalo
Odion Jude Ighalo (born 1989) is a Nigerian striker, 2019 AFCON top scorer with 5 goals, ex-Watford, Changchun Yatai, Shanghai Shenhua, Manchester United loanee, Al Hilal, and Al-Wehda forward.