Salah, Mahrez, Osimhen in AFCON 2025 star XI | OneFootball

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations runs in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January, and the final squads are packed with elite names. According to L'Équipe, a star-studded best XI has been assembled from the tournament’s standout call-ups.

Clubs such as Liverpool, PSG, Manchester City and Real Madrid all have players involved. Of the 659 selected, 97 are playing in European competition this season, with 41 in the Champions League, 40 in the Europa League and 16 in the Europa Conference League. Those who reach the 18 January final will play seventh European matchday fixtures on 21 January.

From that pool, eleven were picked. Five are Champions League winners, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, Edouard Mendy with Chelsea in 2021, Riyad Mahrez with Manchester City in 2023, and Achraf Hakimi with PSG in 2025.

Victor Osimhen, the second top scorer in this season’s Champions League with six goals, leads the line. In midfield, Carlos Baleba, 21, and Pape Matar Sarr, 23, both formerly of Ligue 1 with Lille and Metz, form a double pivot. Evan Ndicka is the only Ivorian included, despite the reigning champions’ status.

The XI is set up in a four-two-four, with a bench led by 2025 African Ballon d'Or winner Ademola Lookman. The other substitutes are Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal), Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen), Rami Bensebaini (Dortmund), Yves Bissouma (Tottenham), Franck Kessié (Al Ahli SC), Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid) and Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United).

Source: L'Équipe