The curtain is almost down on the 2025-26 season, but African players in Europe still have enormous amounts to play for. From Champions League finals to relegation six-pointers, the continent’s stars are right in the thick of it — and the drama is far from over.
African Players in Europe’s Cup Finals: Hakimi, Sarr and the Ultimate Prize
The headline act is Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League final against Arsenal in Budapest. Achraf Hakimi has been sensational for PSG all season and produced a moment of magic in last year’s final — opening the scoring after 12 minutes, assisted by Désiré Doué, as PSG demolished their opponents 5-0. A winner again this year would give him two Champions League titles, matching the legendary Samuel Eto’o as the most decorated African player in European Cup history. He’d also become the first African to lift the trophy in back-to-back seasons since Eto’o managed the feat in 2009 and 2010 — extraordinary company to be in.
However, there’s a serious fitness cloud hanging over the Moroccan right-back. Hakimi, 27, has missed PSG’s last five matches — including both legs of their semifinal against Bayern Munich — after picking up an injury in the first leg of that tie. Encouraging signs from within the club suggest he could return in time, but he’s yet to resume training. Time is genuinely running out. Should he miss out, Ibrahim Mbaye and Senny Mayulu offer Luis Enrique options from the bench.
Meanwhile, in the Conference League final, Ismaïla Sarr has been absolutely electric for Crystal Palace. The Senegal international leads the competition’s scoring charts with nine goals en route to the final, including six in the Eagles’ last five knockout matches, plus another in their 2-2 draw with Brentford earlier this month. Oliver Glasner’s side already lifted the FA Cup in 2025 — landing a second major honour in twelve months would be something truly special. Evann Guessand and Christantus Uche could also contribute, though Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad are struggling with fitness concerns.
Rayo Vallecano, opponents of Palace, will count on Sarr’s international teammates Pathé Ciss and Nobel Mendy to write history for Los Franjirrojos. Morocco’s Ilias Akhomach scored in their quarterfinal victory over AEK Athens, but faces a race against time after suffering a muscle tear in his left quad.
Premier League and La Liga: Survival Battles and European Chases
Arsenal may have wrapped up the Premier League title — without an African international in their squad — but the final day still carries massive weight for several clubs. Mohamed Salah could sign off at Anfield against Brentford by securing Liverpool’s Champions League place for next season — a fitting farewell after nine years, regardless of the friction his public comments about Arne Slot’s regime have caused. Dango Ouattara‘s Brentford could yet snatch European qualification for the first time in their history if they win and other results fall their way.
Elsewhere, Franco-Ivorian Junior Kroupi‘s Bournemouth are still dreaming of Champions League football, while Yankuba Minteh‘s Brighton and Noah Sadiki‘s Sunderland both chase European spots. At the bottom, it’s brutal. Tottenham Hotspur need to avoid defeat against Everton to survive, with Pape Matar Sarr limited to substitute appearances under Roberto De Zerbi and Yves Bissouma absent for the last two matches. West Ham, meanwhile, have imploded spectacularly — three straight defeats — and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Soungoutou Magassa and Mohamadou Kanté must beat Leeds United and hope Spurs slip up to stay up.
In Spain, Ilaix Moriba‘s Celta Vigo need just a point at home to Sevilla to clinch the final Europa League spot. Lose, though, and Djene Dakonam‘s Getafe could leapfrog them with a win over Osasuna. Rayo also have eyes on Europe — seventh place and the Conference League if the Getafe result goes their way, the Europa League if they beat Palace. Omar El Hilali‘s Espanyol aren’t entirely out of the running either. Deeper in the mire, Zito Luvumbo (Mallorca), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), Grady Diangana (Elche), Enzo Boyomo (Osasuna) and Karl Etta Eyong (Levante) are all fighting to avoid the drop.
In Serie A, Juventus need a win over city rivals Torino plus favourable results to break into the top four and secure Champions League football. Jérémie Boga will be desperate to make his mark after the heartbreak of missing Ivory Coast’s World Cup squad. Juve must overhaul Evan Ndicka‘s AS Roma, AC Milan and Assane Diao‘s Como. Down at the foot of the table, David Okereke‘s Cremonese and Lecce — featuring Lameck Banda, Lassana Coulibaly and Walid Cheddira — are desperate to avoid joining Hellas Verona and Pisa in the second tier.