The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off with an opening match between the Moroccan national team and the Comoros Islands, in a tournament featuring a remarkable presence of top-tier stars from the strongest leagues worldwide, giving the continental event both a global football and marketing dimension.

As the starting whistle approaches, attention turns to the list of the most expensive players in terms of market value, according to figures from the global website Transfermarkt, which reflect the significant rise in the status of African players within the international football market.

Hakimi... the undisputed star of the continent's most valuable player

Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi tops the list of the most expensive players in the Africa Cup of Nations with a market value of 80 million euros, confirming his status as one of the best full-backs in the world. Despite doubts about his participation due to an injury he sustained while playing for Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Hakimi recovered in time and returned to full fitness, remaining the key asset for the "Atlas Lions."

Mbukimo and Osimhen... African offensive powerhouses

Tied for second place are Cameroonian Brian Mbeumo and Nigerian Victor Osimhen, each with a market value of 75 million euros, further highlighting the dominant presence of African forwards in major European clubs and their growing role in shaping the global transfer market.

Marmoush does not impose himself as an Arab.

The Arab surprise on the list was the Egyptian Omar Marmoush, whose market value reached 65 million euros, placing him fourth among the most expensive players in the tournament, ahead of several prominent names. This figure reflects the significant leap in his professional career in Europe, at a time when Mohamed Salah was absent from the top positions due to a decline in his market value.

Balipa completes the constellation of the Big Five.

Cameroonian Carlos Baleba completes the list of the top five most expensive players in the Africa Cup, with a market value of 60 million euros, reflecting the remarkable rise of young African players, especially in midfield and defense positions, in European football.

A championship of global significance

These figures do not merely reflect a financial ranking; they confirm the profound transformation taking place in African football and the success of its stars in establishing their names among the global elite. This gives the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations exceptional artistic and commercial value, making it a focal point of global attention from the very first whistle.