Bryan Mbeumo: Man United Star Snubs Osimhen, Names Lookman Among Top 3 African Stars
- Manchester United's new forward Bryan Mbeumo has named his top three African players at the moment
- Mbeumo snubbed Victor Osimhen but included the reigning African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman
- The Cameroonian international attacker also named his top three greatest African footballers of all time
Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo has snubbed Victor Osimhen when asked to name his top three African footballers at the moment.
Mbeumo joined Manchester United from fellow Premier League side Brentford for a reported fee of £71 million, including add-ons, making him one of the most expensive African players.
Source: Getty Images
He, alongside fellow new signing Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, was named in the club's pre-season squad in the United States.
Mbeumo names top 3 African stars
Mbeumo granted an interview to Rio Ferdinand Presents Podcast from New Jersey, during which he was asked to name his current top three African stars.
“For now, Salah, Lookman, and Achraf Hakimi. He’s the best right-back in the world,” Mbeumo said.
He snubbed the 2023 African Best Victor Osimhen, and it raised eyebrows among the fans, who would have picked the Super Eagles forward.
@mindvalley001 wrote:
“Any list without Osimhen in it is just not correct.”
@bignazzy001 wrote:
“I was expecting to hear Osimhen, but bro knows ball.”
@SO_Oladunjoye wrote:
“He didn’t even mention Osimhen, who's literally better than all aside Salah.”
The 26-year-old French-born winger named his three greatest African footballers of all time, including his compatriot Samuel Eto'o.
“Samuel Eto’o and Ivorian greats Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré,” he added. “Of course, I looked up to Eto’o. He was a striker and a goalscorer, which was what I aspired to be when I was younger.”
Comparing Osimhen, Salah and Lookman’s stats last season
Mbeumo named Lookman and Salah in his top three, but omitted Osimhen, who starred for Galatasaray and was one of the best African players last season.
As noted by Transfermarkt, Osimhen scored 37 goals and provided eight assists for Galatasaray last season, helping them win the Super League and Turkish Cup.
He scored 26 goals in the league, which earned him the Golden Boot and MVP award despite being a loan player in his first season in Turkish football.
Source: Getty Images
His compatriot Ademola Lookman had a rather quiet season with Atalanta, and still managed to score 20 goals and provide seven assists in 40 matches.
Salah was arguably the best African player in Europe last season. He scored 34 goals and provided 23 assists to help Liverpool win their 20th Premier League title. He won the Premier League Golden Boot, Playmaker Award and the Player of the Year.
The Egyptian is the favourite to win the CAF Best Award this year. Morocco and PSG star Achraf Hakimi is his main challenger after winning the quadruple.
Hervé Renard tips Hakimi for Ballon d'Or
Legit.ng previously reported that French coach Herve Renard chose Achraf Hakimi as his 2025 Ballon d'Or winner after his exploits for Paris Saint-Germain.
Renard, who gave Hakimi his international debut with Morocco, believes the right-back is the best in the world in his position and deserves the award.
Source: Legit.ng
