Best Muslim Football Players: Top 10 Muslim Footballers Now

Football has been blessed with the greatest players across generations. The beautiful game has united fans across the world. irrespective of their race, colour or religion. Over the years, football has been a platform for players to make their mark regardless of where they come from. Hence, several Muslim footballers have shaped their legacies through incredible footballing careers. From legendary players, like Mesut Ozil and Karim Benzema, to modern-day stars like Ousmane Dembele & Mohamed Salah, who have displayed their unshakeable faith in Islam, have cemented their places in football history. These players have experienced trophy-laden careers in domestic leagues like the Premier League and La Liga and as well as experienced success on the international stage.

Hence, it's time we see who the best muslim football players are in 2026, based on ranking factors focused on individual stats, performance on the international stage, trophies/achievements & individual awards won. The reason behind choosing these ranking factors by the Sportsdunia football desk is to present our readers an unbiased and transparent list of the top 10 best Muslim football players.

List of the Best Muslim Footballers

Below is a comprehensive table ranking the top 10 Muslim footballers, based on their form in the ongoing 2025/26 season and as well as based on individual stats, silverware, trophies, international performances & club/individual awards.

How did we rank the Best Muslim Football Players Currently?

To rank the best footballers who are muslim, we made sure players are backed with the given data below, alongside their firm belief in their religion and how they are promoting it on the world stage.

• Current Domestic Season stats: We have evaluated players’ goals, assists, defensive contributions, and clean sheets, which have helped us evaluate the top muslim footballers around the globe. To rank the best muslim footballer, we have assessed data of the recently concluded season, i.e, 2024/25. and as well as the 2025/26 season, which is ongoing.
• Silverware & Trophies: This factor worked as a tiebreaker for us while listing the best muslim football players. Players with similar stats were ranked based on the trophies and silverware they won during the 2024/25 season, but rankings are majorly affected by their form in the ongoing season. For example, Mohamed Salah has dropped to 5th due to his recent dip in form.
• International Performance: We have also assessed Muslim players’ contributions in international tournaments like the UEFA Nations League and others. Key metrics include goals, assists, defensive actions, and leadership in critical matches.
• Trophies/Awards: This includes personal awards like Ballon d’Or, FIFA Best, or league-specific honours. We prioritised players with multiple individual recognitions and significant contributions to club success.

Note: The data for the above-mentioned ranking factors are fetched from reputable Football Analysis sites like Fbref, Transfermarkt and Sportsdunia.

Who are the Best Muslim Footballers Right Now?

Each of these entries on the list of the best Muslim players in the world below explores their exceptional performances and their prominence as inspiring Muslim athletes. Find out in detail below why they deserve to be included among the top 10 footballers in the world who are Muslim.

10. Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool | France)

Even though Liverpool is currently languishing at 5th place in the table, with Ibrahima Konate one of the many players seeing his form dip, he is placed at 10th on our current list of best Muslim football players. Alongside Van Dijk, he was like a rock in Liverpool's defence as they won the Premier League in the 2024/25 season comfortably by conceding only 41 goals. Known for his exceptional pace, strength, and tackling ability, Konate has consistently stopped opposing attackers. Last term, he had his best season as a Reds player to date & as a result is counted among one of the best defenders in the Premier League.

Nicknamed "Ibou", Konate has displayed elite mentality through his leadership and clutch moments, first during his days at RB Leipzig and now at Liverpool. The French defender has also displayed impeccable discipline in his faith and has donated merchandise to several charities, hospitals and children. Born to Malian parents in Paris, Konate is a practising Muslim and due to his positional play, tackling, pace and strength, he has also been compared to his current teammate Virgil Van Dijk. He is also well known for being strong during aerial duels and carrying pace as well. Right now, as a result of an alarming dip in Liverpool's form & distraction due to his contract saga, Konate has not performed to his usual standards yet. But with much of the season left, there is time for him to bounce back & solidify his status further as one of the best muslim football players in the world.

9. Granit Xhaka (Sunderland | Switzerland)

After ending his first stint in English football with Arsenal on a high, Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka marked his return to the Premier League in the same manner as well; Consistent, Influential and impactful. Though he is not a practising Muslim, he does come from a family with a Muslim background. Based on his performances in recent seasons, most notably during Bayer Leverkusen's 2023-24 title-winning invincible campaign, he is one of the best Muslim football player at present.

Granit Xhaka's game is defined by his deep-lying playmaking skills and control. He dictates the tempo in the middle of the park & builds up play with his short and long-range passes. He has excellent tackling skills and positional awareness, and is capable of intercepting passes & shielding the backline. Though his 5.64 progressive passes per game show that he has also been influencing the game in advanced positions, his core strength is always that of a combination of a deep-lying playmaker & solid presence defensively. He has led Sunderland from the front after being appointed as captain, as Regis Le Bris's men are currently close to finishing in the top half of the EPL table. Though after being in the top 4 for a while, their form dipped, the Black Cats continue to defy the odds match by match by delivering strong performances. Xhaka himself is also leaving no stone unturned in proving that he is one of the brightest Muslim footballers in the world at present.

8. N'Golo Kanté (Fenerbahce | France)

Undoubtedly, one of the best midfielders Chelsea will ever have, French international N'Golo Kanté, is ranked 8th on our top 10 list of Muslim footballers currently at the top. The former Al Ittihad midfielder who now represents Fenerbahce is an inspiration to many aspiring footballers worldwide for his impeccable work ethic, impressive stamina & humble behaviour. In a game where players are filled with adrenaline and aggression, N'Golo Kante has shown the world that one can remain calm on the field even when the atmosphere and the game itself are intense & spine-tingling, provided you stick to your principles, values & faith.

Nicknamed “N'Golinho” by his former Chelsea teammates Fabregas and Eden Hazard, due to his all-around skillset as a midfielder, Kante ranks as one of the top 10 Chelsea legends. He won 6 major trophies with the Blues during his time at Stamford Bridge. His heroics also propelled France to 2018 FIFA World Cup glory. He is a defensive midfielder primarily & is known for his relentless energy & ball-winning abilities. He is versatile enough to equally excel in a deep-playmaking position, double pivot & as an advanced midfielder due to his ball-carrying abilities. Despite his diminutive frame, he is like a rock in the midfield and rightfully one of the best Muslim players in football.

7. Karim Benzema (Al-Hilal | France)

One of the most prolific forwards the modern football has ever seen, former Real Madrid no.9 Karim Benzema has left a long-lasting legacy on the European football landscape. After enjoying a trophy-laden 14 years at Real Madrid, he is currently plying his trade for Saudi Club Al Ahli, after a controversial move from fellow PIF-funded club Al-Ittihad. From the UEFA Champions League to La Liga, from the UEFA Super Cup to the Club World Cup, Benzema has won it all with the Los Blancos. Usually deployed as a centre-forward, Benzema has also played in other offensive positions, such as on the left wing and as a playmaker, behind the striker. His positional awareness, shooting ability & poacher instinct have helped him terrorise defenders in the 18-yard box.

Hailed as one of the greatest Real Madrid players ever, Benzema also won the Ballon d’Or in 2022 and has shown his happiness after moving to Saudi Arabia in the twilight of his career, since it, to an extent, helps him to be closer to his Muslim faith. He has 54 goals & 17 assists in just 83 games for Al Ittihad and has already hit the ground running for Al-Ahli by scoring 5 in 6 games. Over the years, he has proven himself as one of those Muslim footballers who have made a long-lasting impact in football. His 463 goals and 197 assists in 867 overall appearances are proof of that.

6. Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli | Algeria)

Another Muslim footballer who has been making waves since emerging on the scene is the Algerian superstar Riyad Mahrez. He has been inspiring players around the world, earning his status as one of the best Premier League wingers of all time despite going through many hardships. The Manchester City and Leicester City fans among our readers must know well how he can change the course of the game single-handedly within moments. Across spells at Le Havre, Leicester City, Manchester City, and now Al-Ahli, Mahrez has scored 194 goals & delivered 147 assists in 641 appearances.

Nicknamed “little rooster” for his unique hairstyle, Mahrez is also one of the richest footballers in Africa, according to his contract with Al-Ahli. He also enhanced his reputation globally when he won the AFCON with his country in 2019. After enjoying 5 trophy-laden seasons with Manchester City, he went to seek pastures anew by signing for Al-Ahli. With his strong left foot, ability to play anywhere across the front-line & on-target deliveries of passes or crosses inside the penalty area, he cemented his status as one of the top Muslim footballers in the world. He showcased his peak form in Manchester City colours. Then, following the footsteps of several other Muslim footballers, he went to Saudi Arabia and also won the AFC Champions League a season later. As he was among the richest African footballers, Mahrez has supported various charities to make an effort for the betterment of the world.

5. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool | Egypt)

If not for the recent dip in form he is going through, you would have likely seen the Egyptian King Mohamed Salah ranked higher than 5th in our list of Muslim footballers who are the best in the world in 2025. Salah is known for his tactical acumen, incredible dribbling skills, ball-control & impeccable finishing, which earned him the tag as one of the best wingers in the world. He has been one of the key cogs of Liverpool during Jurgen Klopp's revolution as the Reds won the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup & the Champions League.

Post-Klopp era, he further justified the Premier League being the most-watched football league by being instrumental in Liverpool winning the 2024-25 EPL title in a dominating fashion as he delivered 29 goals and 18 assists. He also won the Golden Boot. Salah is a practising Muslim and has often inspired others around the world that you can keep believing in your faith and work towards achieving your goals simultaneously. This is evident every season during Ramadan, as despite fasting, he performs incredibly well almost every time.

4. Sadio Mane (Al Nassr | Senegal)

Be it Liverpool fans or the neutral ones, there is no denying the fact that we all loved the prime version of the Senegalese legend Sadio Mane. He scored and created goals for fun, as he enjoyed a successful 6-year spell at Liverpool. Thanks to his ability to score from feet as well as through headers, creativity, dribbling skills & an incredible first-touch on the ball, he, along with Mohamed Salah, terrorised the opposition defenders. Not too long ago, he cemented his legacy further by winning the 2025 AFCON with the Senegal National football team. Like Salah, Mane also established his own legacy as one of the best Muslim players in football, through his on-pitch and as well as heart-touching activities off the pitch.

Sadio is a versatile forward whose main traits are his pace, exquisite finishing, trickery in possession & tactical awareness. He scored 120 goals and delivered 46 assists for the Reds before seeking pastures anew with Bayern Munich. After enduring an underwhelming spell in Bavaria, he joined Saudi club Al Nassr in 2023. Currently, he is continuing to showcase that he is one of the best Muslim footballers. In the ongoing season, he already has 17 goal contributions in 26 appearances and is proving to be one of the best Senegalese footballers currently. He is a practising Muslim and is known for his charity work. He has developed his hometown of Bambali in Senegal by funding the construction of a hospital, schools, a stadium & a Mosque. He also provides monthly stipends to families, laptops and sportswear to students, and most notably, donated over £41,000 to the national committee for COVID-19 relief in Senegal in 2020.

3. Achraf Hakimi (PSG | Morocco)

Currently, based on his recent success at club level & internationally, Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi is one of the most celebrated Muslim players in football history. The former Real Madrid & Dortmund right-back is a joy to watch when he has a ball on his feet. His footballing IQ, passing ability, dynamism & speed are his most talked about traits when he plays. His success with PSG and his impressive attacking numbers have propelled him at 1st rank in our list of the best right-backs in the world.

Hakimi is a practising Muslim who has visited Mecca multiple times. He was also named the Arab sportsman of the year in 2022 at the Joy Awards in Riyadh. He put himself on the global map by delivering outstanding performances for the Morocco national football team during the Qatar World Cup in 2022. In fact, after his exploits in Qatar, a football stadium in the Moroccan city of Ksar el-Kebir was named after him. He delivered 9 goals and 12 assists last season as PSG went on to win the Quadruple, and also in the ongoing season, he is performing like one of the best muslims footballers in the world.

2. Ousmane Dembele (PSG | France)

The winner of the 2024-25 UCL and the Ballon d'Or, versatile French forward Ousmane Dembele is ranked 2nd in our list of the best Muslim footballers in the world. Also called “Dembouz”, he has been climbing the success ladder very quickly in recent times, especially since Luis Enrique tweaked his role in Les Parisiens' attacking system. Apart from PSG, he is also a key player of the France National football team under the manager Didier Deschamps. He came into the limelight when he started playing for the Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, where he not only impressed the club fans but also the neutral fans around the globe. Later on, FC Barcelona signed him for a record fee, making him one of the most expensive signings in football history.

After enduring injuries after injuries for several seasons, Dembele has at last unleashed his full potential in PSG, where he now owns 5 titles, including the UEFA Champions League & the UEFA Super Cup. Though questions were raised when he won the coveted Ballon d'Or, its no denying the fact that he has had an outstanding year and is one of the best French footballers currently. Not only has he been a great player on the field, but his character and attitude off the field speak for themselves as well, as a result of which he is one of the best Muslim footballers.

1. Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona | Spain)

The answer to the question “Who is the Best Muslim footballer in the World in 2026?” is none other than Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal. The prodigy helped Barcelona win the 2024/25 La Liga and domestic treble overall. The world acknowledged him as the next big thing when he won his Kopa Trophy in 2024 at 17 years old. He won it again this year in 2025, showcasing how he has wowed the fans all over the world with his playing style and maturity. His game-changing dribbling, excellent passing & vision to create goalscoring chances are unmatched. Some might raise questions about Lamine Yamal’s religious background, but statements from his grandmother and his off-pitch rituals exhibit that the player is Muslim.

His remarkable performances in the 2024/25 season, both in La Liga and in Europe, have also made him the best young footballer in the world. Yamal’s work ethic and willingness to improve match-by-match are characteristics that are admired around the world. The fact that alongside Ousmane Dembele, he belongs in the list of those Muslim footballers who play at an elite level, is proof that with belief in faith and discipline during work, one can achieve all the success in the world. In the ongoing 2025/26 season, despite a few off-field issues and injury problems, he already has 12 goals & assists, which makes him one of the best Barcelona players currently. After narrowly missing out on the Ballon d'Or in 2025, he will for sure aim to win it this time.