Franck Kessié is one of the highest-paid African footballers in the world today.
From a dusty pitch in Ouragahio to the Saudi Pro League, his journey is remarkable — and his bank account reflects every step of it.
In this article, you will find his verified net worth, salary details, contract breakdown, career earnings, and personal life information.
Franck Kessié’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Franck Yannick Kessié |
| Date of Birth | 19 December 1996 |
| Age | 29 years old |
| Nationality | Ivorian (Ivory Coast) |
| Height | 183 cm (6’0″) |
| Position | Central / Defensive Midfielder |
| Current Club | Al-Ahli (Saudi Pro League) |
| Turned Professional | 2014 (Stella Club d’Adjamé) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $70 million |
| Weekly Salary | ~£362,000 (~€420,000) |
| Annual Salary | ~€14 million |
| Relationship Status | Married to Joelle Kessié |
| @franck.kessie19 (2.4M+ followers) |
Early Life & Career
Franck Yannick Kessié was born on 19 December 1996 in Ouragahio, a small town in the southern part of Ivory Coast.
His father was a professional footballer before he joined the Ivorian army and tragically passed away when Franck was just 11 years old. That loss left a lasting mark on Kessié, and to this day, his famous military salute goal celebration is a tribute to his late father.
Growing up, Kessié idolised Yaya Touré and dreamed of following in his footsteps in European football.
He started playing youth football at Stella Club d’Adjamé in 2010, commuting three hours each way on buses to reach training, on pitches made mostly of dirt.
His determination paid off when the club promoted him to their first team in 2014.
Italian Serie A club Atalanta spotted him almost immediately. On 29 January 2015, he signed a three-year contract with Atalanta, becoming a professional footballer in one of Europe’s top leagues at just 18 years old.
Atalanta sent him on loan to Serie B side Cesena in August 2015, where he made 37 appearances and scored 4 goals in his debut professional season.
Professional Career
Kessié returned to Atalanta for the 2016–17 season, where head coach Gian Piero Gasperini gave him his Serie A debut.
He scored a brace against Lazio on his first league start and quickly became a key figure in midfield. His performances drew the attention of AC Milan, one of Italy’s most storied clubs.
On 2 June 2017, AC Milan signed Kessié on a two-year loan with an obligation to buy. He spent five seasons at the San Siro, becoming one of the most tenacious midfielders in Serie A.
His peak moment came in the 2021–22 season when he scored 13 goals in 37 league appearances and played a pivotal role in winning the Scudetto — Milan’s first league title in 11 years.
In July 2022, he joined FC Barcelona on a free transfer, signing a four-year deal. Despite limited first-team opportunities at Barça, he scored a crucial El Clasico winner against Real Madrid in March 2023.
By August 2023, he moved to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli for a reported €12.5 million transfer fee.
Since joining Al-Ahli, Kessié has thrived — winning back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles in 2024–25 and 2025–26, with the latter earning him the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.
On the international stage, he was part of Ivory Coast’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad and became the national team captain in 2024.
Wife
Franck Kessié is married to Joelle Kessié, a fellow Ivorian. The couple married during the summer of 2021 while Kessié was on vacation in Ivory Coast.
They have two children together.
His wife Joelle maintains a presence on social media under the handle @sirakessie, where she regularly posts about family life. The family currently resides in Saudi Arabia.
Franck Kessié’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Franck Kessié’s has an estimated net worth of $70 million.
He built this wealth through his professional football contracts across Italy, Spain, and Saudi Arabia, combined with endorsement income accumulated over more than a decade at the highest level of the game.
Contract
Kessié signed with Al-Ahli on 9 August 2023 in a deal reported at €12.5 million. According to verified salary data on Capology, his current contract with Al-Ahli runs until 30 June 2026.
This means his existing deal is in its final year, and contract renewal or a new transfer is expected to be decided before the summer of 2026.
Salary
Kessié earns approximately £362,000 per week at Al-Ahli, which equals roughly £18.8 million per year according to SalarySport.
Capology’s verified estimate places his annual base salary at €14 million, or approximately €269,231 gross per week.
When he moved to the Saudi Pro League in 2023, multiple credible reports confirmed he would earn approximately €20 million net per season — around five times what he earned at Barcelona.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Annual Salary (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | Atalanta | €14,000 |
| 2015–16 | Cesena (loan) | €456,000 |
| 2016–17 | Atalanta | €4 million |
| 2017–18 | AC Milan (loan) | €4 million |
| 2018–19 | AC Milan (loan) | €4 million |
| 2019–20 | AC Milan | €4 million |
| 2020–21 | AC Milan | €4 million |
| 2021–22 | AC Milan | €4 million |
| 2022–23 | FC Barcelona | £11.3 million |
| 2023–24 | FC Barcelona / Al-Ahli | £7.7M (Barça) |
| 2024–25 | Al-Ahli | £12.1 million |
| 2025–26 | Al-Ahli | ~£18.8 million |
Career Statistics
| Club | Seasons | League Apps | League Goals | Total Apps | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cesena (loan) | 2015–16 | 37 | 4 | 37 | 4 |
| Atalanta | 2016–17 | 30 | 6 | 31 | 7 |
| AC Milan | 2017–22 | 174 | 35 | 223 | 37 |
| FC Barcelona | 2022–23 | 28 | 1 | 43 | 3 |
| Al-Ahli | 2023–present | 87 | 17 | 119 | 26 |
| Career Total | 356 | 63 | 453 | 77 | |
| Ivory Coast (Int’l) | 2014–2026 | 102 caps | 15 goals | — | — |
FAQs
What is Franck Kessié’s net worth?
Franck Kessié’s estimated net worth is $70 million. He earned this through his high-paying contracts at AC Milan, FC Barcelona, and Al-Ahli, along with brand partnerships throughout his career.
How much does Franck Kessié earn per week?
He earns approximately £362,000 per week at Al-Ahli Saudi Sport Club, which works out to about £18.8 million per year based on verified salary data.
What club does Franck Kessié play?
He currently plays for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League. His contract with the club runs until 30 June 2026, and he wears the number 79 shirt.
Has Franck Kessié won any major trophies?
Yes — he won the Serie A title with AC Milan in 2021–22, La Liga and Supercopa de España with Barcelona in 2022–23, and the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast in 2023. He also won back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles with Al-Ahli in 2025 and 2026.
Is Franck Kessié married?
Yes, he is married to Joelle Kessié. The couple tied the knot in the summer of 2021 in Ivory Coast and have two children together.
