The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has reached its conclusion, with Senegal beating hosts Morocco 1-0 in Rabat to be crowned champions.
A total of 33 Premier League stars have been representing their respective nations at the tournament, but which player has had the BEST tournament? We want you to decide.
Amad (Manchester United & Ivory Coast)
Playing at his second AFCON, Amad was the Ivory Coast’s leading light en route to the quarter-finals, where the Elephants bowed out with a narrow defeat to Egypt.
Starting four out of five games in Morocco, the Manchester United man dazzled on his favoured right wing, scoring three goals – including the winner in his nation’s opening match against Mozambique – and laying on one assist.
After such an impactful few weeks away, the 23-year-old will be itching to show the same kind of form for his club – not least given the change in the dugout, where Michael Carrick has come in as head coach until the end of the season.
El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham & Senegal)
Temporarily swapping a Premier League relegation battle for a run to the AFCON final with Senegal, Malick Diouf has been one of the tournament’s standout full-backs.
Despite being suspended for the Lions of Teranga’s first game and having to battle it out with Ismail Jakobs for the left-back spot, Diouf made his mark with assured performances in clean-sheet wins over Benin in the group stage and Mali in the quarter-finals.
Appearing at his first major finals, the 21-year-old has also been one of AFCON 2025’s most creative defenders, averaging 0.22 Expected Assists (xA) per 90.
Lyle Foster (Burnley & South Africa)
South Africa will have been disappointed to go out of AFCON at the last-16 stage, but Lyle Foster can be very satisfied with his tournament on an individual level.
The Burnley striker led the line for his nation and led it by example, being directly involved in four of Bafana Bafana’s six group-stage goals.
Foster registered a goal and an assist as South Africa got off to a winning start against Angola – he clinched three points with a fine strike from outside the box – before repeating the trick in their dramatic victory over Zimbabwe.
Idrissa Gueye (Everton & Senegal)
A clockwork-like midfield presence, Idrissa Gueye has kept Senegal ticking throughout this AFCON, playing every minute of every game during their journey to the final.
Proving that age is just a number, the 36-year-old Everton man leads the way at the tournament in terms of successful passes in the opposition half (243) and line-breaking passes (92) and has had the second-most touches of the ball (488).
Some 15 years into his international career, Senegal’s most-capped player seems to have as much energy as ever in the middle of the park.
Alex Iwobi (Fulham & Nigeria)
Closing in on 100 caps for Nigeria, Alex Iwobi’s creativity was instrumental in Nigeria’s run to the last four, where they went out on penalties to the hosts.
The Fulham midfielder’s incisive passing has drawn comparisons with Super Eagles legend Jay-Jay Okocha; indeed, he ranks among AFCON 2025’s most creative players, having fashioned 11 chances at an average of just over two per 90.
Responsible for setting up both goals in Nigeria’s campaign-opening win against Tanzania, Iwobi didn’t miss a minute of his country’s campaign.
Omar Marmoush (Manchester City & Egypt)
Something of a bit-part player at Manchester City so far this season, Omar Marmoush has taken his opportunity in the colours of Egypt.
Partnering Mohamed Salah in the Pharaohs’ all-star attack, the 26-year-old notched two important goals on the way to the semi-finals, equalising as Egypt came from behind to avoid a shock defeat to Zimbabwe in their first group game, then opening the scoring in the quarter-final triumph over the Ivory Coast.
Marmoush has seen Man City’s attack get strengthened in his absence with the arrival of Antoine Semenyo, but his AFCON exploits have served as a timely reminder of his quality.
Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United & Morocco)
Starting every match, Noussair Mazraoui has helped Morocco to the final without conceding a single goal from open play.
The Man Utd man has showcased his versatility by lining up adeptly on either side of his nation’s back four, starring as they’ve kept five clean sheets out of a possible six.
Rock-solid when it’s come to keeping the opposition out, Mazraoui has also underscored his strength in possession and going forward, displaying his penchant for danger-evading dribbling and setting up Morocco’s second, points-sealing goal in their tournament-opening victory over Comoros.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt)
His wait for a first continental crown goes on, and he struggled to impose himself in Egypt’s limp semi-final exit to Senegal, but this AFCON ought to have done Salah a lot of good, after a mixed first half of the campaign at Liverpool.
The Pharaohs captain enjoyed his best AFCON to date in a scoring sense: having never previously netted more than twice at the finals, his four goals place him among the tournament’s leading scorers this time around, with an assist making it five goal contributions altogether.
With three match-winning goals, the 33-year-old once again demonstrated his ability to come up clutch in the big moments – something club boss Arne Slot will hope to see more of between now and May.