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20 Most Popular Football (Soccer) Players from Ivory Coast

Originally published by Pamela in October 2022 and Updated by Ian S in May 2024.

Ivory Coast also known as Cote d’Ivoire is another top-ranked African country in soccer. They made their debut in the 2006 World Cup and have featured in two more, in 2010 and 2014. Unfortunately, they did not qualify for the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup which is a major blow.

Their campaigns at the World Cup have always been entertaining as the country has top-quality talented soccer players who represent their country well. In their past two group stages of the World Cup, Ivory Coast met with Argentina and the Netherlands who eliminated them. Later in 2010, Ivory Coast was eliminated from the World Cup after meeting with Brazil and Portugal.

FIFA still ranks Ivory Coast among the best African teams in the world even though they will not participate in the 2022 World Cup. Top players like Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure and Kolo Toure originate from Ivory Coast and have presented their country perfectly.

Below are the 20 Most Popular Football (Soccer) Players from Ivory Coast:

1. Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba at Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille 2019. Photo by Y.Leclercq on

Drogba is one of the greatest African players to have played in the English Premier League and other top leagues in the world. Before moving to the Premier League to play for Chelsea, Didier Drogba created a huge fan base with his versatility on and off the ball.

A great baller, Drogba moved to Chelsea and played under Jose Mourinho where he thrived perfectly. He scored goals for fans as he loved bullying his opponents with a high press and an eye for the goal.

Didier Drogba remains to be the top-scoring African player in the English Premier League even though he retired from professional soccer. Drogba won the first Champions League trophy for Chelsea during his time at Stamford Bridge. He also won several other major trophies for the blues in the seasons he played for them.

2. Yaya Toure

Ivorian football player Yaya Touré. Photo by
Roger GorÄ…czniak on

Another firehouse of a player is Yaya Toure. Yaya Toure who played for Manchester City, Barcelona and other top clubs is renowned for his perfect performances in the middle of the pitch.

A great soccer sorcerer, Yaya Toure is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world. His bulk physique, eye for the goal, brilliant passing and controlling the tempo of the game were his major strengths.

He will always be remembered as a top soccer player for Ivory Coast even though Pep Guardiola never appreciated him more. Yaya Toure is a serial trophy winner for his clubs.

3. Youssouf Fofana

Youssouf is another talented soccer player who came under the limelight after being discovered by Arsene Wenger. The Ivorian linked up with the former Arsenal boss at Monaco where they won the Ligue 1 title in 1988.

He used to play as a left winger who had terrific pace, the ability to beat his opponents on one in one encounter and great skills. His soccer technique is highly regarded in the soccer world which earned him nicknames like The Black Diamond and The Dribbler.

4. Kolo Toure

Kolo Toure. Photo by Allura on

Kolo Toure, the second all-time Ivorian soccer player is one of the most decorated African players in the world. He featured for Ivory Coast in two World Cup tournaments in his 14-years international career.

Kolo Toure was picked up by Arsene Wenger who turned him into a top player who hurt his opponents with his skills and top quality. He also played for Manchester City with one of his memorable moments being torturing Arsenal during a clash in which he celebrated after scoring against them.

5. Ibrahima Bakayoko

At the beginning of his career, Bakayoko was known as the most expensive flop at Everton but he beat the odds to become a great player elsewhere. Ibrahima Bakayoko is the second top scorer for Ivory Coast after Didier Drogba who broke his record.

He is renowned for his direct play style that involved pressing his opponents hard and beating them with his pace. Bakayoko was not a towering striker but he scored some memorable goals.

6. Franck Kessie

Franck Kessie. Photo by Dimka Pukalik on

Kessie, a block of a midfielder is another top Ivory Coast soccer player who currently plays for FC Barcelona. He previously played for Italian side AC Milan who he helped win the Serie A title before his move to Spain.

His energetic attitude and great command of the pitch are one of the major strengths of Kessie that help him thrive well. At Barcelona, Franck Kessie is making more impact than how was previously expected.

7. Sebastian Haller

Haller, a giant of a striker is a soccer player who is currently playing for German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund. The gigantic striker has had a great career since he left West Ham United where he had flopped.

While in Ajax, Sebastian Haller used to score goals for fans as he used his height as an added advantage to attack balls perfectly. He was easy to target by his teammates who provided so many assists for his goals.

Unfortunately, Sebastian Haller received a major setback after moving to Germany. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer which has sidelined him for quite some time.

8. Wilfried Zaha

Wilfried Zaha playing for Cardiff City. Photo by Jon Candy on

The former Manchester United player is a professional winger who currently plays for Crystal Palace. Wilfried Zaha is a highly talented soccer player who is known for his immense dribbling skills, beating defenders in one on one encounters and his scoring abilities.

Zaha is a perfect player who has always been eyed by top clubs that want to include him in their squads. He is currently the top goal scorer of Crystal Palace.

9. Nicolas Pepe

The young right winger is another top-talented soccer player from Ivory Coast. Pepe made his mark in France as he played for Rennes but he has failed to replicate his talent after a big-money move to Arsenal.

With his strong left foot, Nicolas Pepe is known for his finesse shots and link-up plays that make his game top-notch. His sprinting pace and ability to cut into the opposition penalty area to score are his major strengths.

10. Ibrahim Sangare

Ibrahim Sangare after a training session. Photo by Gaillac on

The 24 year old midfielder is another soccer player who is highly admired by top clubs across the top European Leagues. Sangare who plays for PSV in the Netherlands is considered a talented player for the future.

He has got the ability to become a top talent because of his stamina and how he stands his ground when pressed high. Ibrahim Sangare was targeted by Chelsea last summer, but he never moved. His target will be to play in the World Cup with Ivory Coast to make his trade.

11. Basile Boli

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Boli, the name that ignited stadiums across Europe! Basile Boli, among the most popular soccer players from Ivory Coast, was a defensive rock who left an indelible mark. 

From his heroics at Auxerre and Marseille to conquering Scotland with Rangers, this Franco-Ivorian warrior commanded respect. But Boli’s impact extended beyond the pitch – his charisma and flair made him a fan favorite wherever he went.

With 45 caps for France’s national team, including that solitary goal, he carved his name into football folklore. 

12. Laurent Pokou

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Laurent is a true icon of Ivorian football, ranking among the most popular soccer players from the Ivory Coast.

His prowess as a lethal striker was on full display in the Africa Cup of Nations, where he became the tournament’s highest scorer not once, but twice – bagging six goals in 1968 and an incredible eight in 1970, including a five-goal demolition of Ethiopia. 

This earned him the moniker “L’homme d’Asmara” (The Man of Asmara). With a staggering 14 total AFCON goals, he remains second only to Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto’o.

Deservedly, Laurent’s legacy was immortalized when the 2023 AFCON official match ball “POKOU” was named in his honor, a touching tribute presented by his son Erwan.

13. Gervinho

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Among the pantheon of Ivorian soccer greats, Gervinho stands tall as one of the most popular players from the Ivory Coast.

This electrifying forward’s journey began at home with ASEC Abidjan and Toumodi before conquering Belgium, France, and ultimately the Premier League with Arsenal.

But it was at Lille where he truly shined, spearheading their Ligue 1 and Coupe de France triumphs in 2011 before his big-money moves.

On the international stage, Gervinho donned the Ivorian colors with pride, featuring in five Africa Cup of Nations and two World Cups while amassing over 80 caps and 23 goals.

With blistering pace and trickery, he tormented defenders worldwide – a true icon whose exploits will be recounted for generations.

14. Salomon Kalou

Lethal is an understatement when describing Salomon Kalou’s prowess on the pitch, for he is truly among the most popular soccer players from the Ivory Coast.

This winger’s journey began at ASEC Mimosas before taking Holland by storm with Feyenoord, netting 35 goals across two sensational seasons.

But it was at Chelsea where Kalou etched his name into legend, winning a glittering array of silverware including the Premier League and Champions League. His blistering pace and clinical finishing made him a nightmare for defenders worldwide.

On the international stage, Kalou amassed a staggering 93 caps, representing the Ivory Coast at two World Cups and six Africa Cup of Nations, including their historic 2015 triumph.

15. Seydou Doumbia

, CC BY-SA 3.0 GFDL, via Wikimedia Commons

Players like Seydou Doumbia don’t come around often – he is truly among the most popular soccer players from the Ivory Coast.

This prolific forward first made waves in Switzerland with Young Boys, winning back-to-back Golden Player awards as the league’s top scorer.

But his €15 million move to CSKA Moscow in 2010 propelled him to new heights, where he claimed six domestic trophies and two Russian Premier League Golden Boots.

Even a stint at Roma couldn’t slow Doumbia down, as he dominated in a loan spell at Basel, capturing another league title, cup triumph, and Golden Boot. On the international stage, his goalscoring exploits fired the Ivory Coast to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations crown after featuring at the 2010 World Cup. 

16. Ghislain Konan

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So talented was Ghislain Konan that he quickly rose to become one of the most popular soccer players from the Ivory Coast.

This marauding left-back’s journey has taken him from the international stage with the Elephants to the glittering Saudi Pro League. Konan first announced himself on the global scene during 2018 World Cup qualifying, making his Ivorian debut in a gritty 0-0 draw against Mali.

His rock-solid defending and rampaging runs down the flank were instrumental as his nation reached the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. More glory beckoned in December 2023 as Konan was named to the Ivorian squad that ended up conquering the continental championship.

With his never-say-die spirit and tireless work ethic, this full-back phenom is destined to thrill fans worldwide for years to come.

17. Jean-Philippe Krasso

, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hard work and unwavering determination are the hallmarks of Jean-Philippe Krasso’s rise to become one of the most popular soccer players from the Ivory Coast.

Born in Germany to Ivorian parents, this dynamic forward journey took him to France at a young age, where he honed his skills. Krasso first donned the Elephant colors at the 2017 Toulon Tournament for the U20s, giving fans a tantalizing glimpse of his potential.

Five years later, that potential was realized as he made his senior international debut against Togo, scoring in a 2-1 win.

Now plying his trade in Serbia with Red Star Belgrade, Krasso’s pace, power, and predatory instincts make him a nightmare for defenders. 

18. Seko Fofana

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Fofana’s rise is a testament to the indomitable spirit of Ivory Coast’s soccer stars. This dynamic midfielder, born in France to Ivorian parents, first caught the eye representing Les Bleus at youth levels.

But in 2017, Fofana made the bold decision to pledge his allegiance to the Elephants. It didn’t take long for that gamble to pay off, as he made his international debut later that year in a World Cup qualifier against Morocco. 

Recently named to the Ivorian squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Fofana wasted no time etching his name into tournament lore, scoring the opening goal just four minutes into their victory over Guinea-Bissau. 

19. Jérémie Boga

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One of the most electrifying talents to grace the pitch, Jérémie Boga is undoubtedly among the most popular soccer players from the Ivory Coast. 

This attacking maestro, born in France but representing the Elephants, first turned heads coming through Chelsea’s famed academy. After loan spells sharpening his skills, Boga made his Blues debut in 2017 before permanently joining Sassuolo a year later.

On the international stage, despite representing France at youth levels, the allure of the Ivory Coast proved too strong. Boga made his senior debut for the West Africans in 2017 against Guinea, immediately showcasing his flair and dynamism. 

With blistering pace, inch-perfect delivery, and an eye for goal, this winger is primed to set the world alight. 

20. Eric Bailly

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Exceptional is an understatement when describing Eric Bailly’s immense talent and impact on the game. This Ivorian defensive rock has showcased his prowess on some of the biggest stages in world football.

After honing his skills at Espanyol and Villarreal in Spain, Bailly’s meteoric rise saw him join Manchester United in 2016, where he made over 100 appearances before a loan stint at Marseille.

But it’s on the international stage where Bailly has truly left his mark, helping the Ivory Coast capture the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations crown.

With two more continental tournaments and the 2020 Olympics under his belt, this indomitable centre-back’s leadership and aerial dominance make him one of the most popular soccer players from Ivory Coast.