Ranked: Top 10 highest-paid footballers in the world

Big business

Football is big business, and this is reflected in the salaries of the sport's main protagonists: footballers.

Stratospheric salaries

According to Skyquest analytics, the global football market size is valued at $4.05 billion (2022) and it's predicted to rise to 5.65 billion between 2028-2031. With big money comes big paychecks, let us look at some of the best-paid football players on the planet.

Unprecedented numbers

We will be looking at data compiled by Forbes, regarding the world's 10 highest-paid football players and how much they truly earn.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

'CR7' remains the GOAT within 'business terms' and his contract with Al Nassr reflects one of the most lucrative deals in the history of the sport.

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$285 million

Salary: $220 (€202/£168) million - Sponsorships: $65 (€59/£49) million

2. Lionel Messi

He is the cornerstone of MLS's growth and everything points to him remaining at Inter Miami until 2026. Meanwhile, the Argentine continues to earn millions from sponsors such as Apple TV, Konami, and Adidas.

$135 million

Salary: $60 (€55/£46) million - Sponsorships: $75 (€69/£57) million

3. Neymar Jr.

His move to Al Hilal has been underwhelming on the sporting side but incredibly lucrative financially. Despite playing just five games for the team, his salary ranks him among the top three highest-paid athletes globally. In addition to the massive paycheck, he enjoys perks like a private jet, a fleet of luxury cars, a mansion for his personal staff, and special permission to live with his partner—something typically forbidden by Islamic law.

$110 million

Salary: $80 (€73/£61) million - Sponsorships: $30 (€27/£23) million

4. Karim Benzema

He left Real Madrid for Al Ittihad as the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, and that earned him a stratospheric contract that allows him to limit his sponsorships to the bare minimum. Karim Benzema lives for and by football, and will do so until he retires.

$104 million

Salary: $100 (€92/£76) million - Sponsorships: $4 (€3.68/£3) million

5. Kylian Mbappé

Mbappé's departure has visibly impacted the prominence of France's Ligue 1, highlighting his influence on the league. His move to Real Madrid is expected to further boost his sponsorship earnings, as the club offers unparalleled global exposure and is one of the most powerful platforms for marketing in the world of sports.

$90 million

Salary: $70 (€64/£53) million - Sponsorships: $20 (€18/£15) million

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6. Erling Haaland

He has won everything with Manchester City, and the club has compensated him with a salary - unmatched in the market.

$60 million

Salary: $46 million (€42/£35) - Endorsements: $14 (€11/£9) million

7. Vinicius Junior

Vini Jr. has firmly established himself as one of Real Madrid's leading figures, alongside stars like Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé. The Brazilian winger is not only adored by Madrid fans, but is also a huge icon in Latin America. His popularity extends beyond the pitch, with lucrative endorsement deals from major companies such as Pepsi, Sony, and PlayStation,

$55 million

Salary: $40 (€36/£30) million - Sponsorships: $15 (€13/£11) million

8. Mohamed Salah

The King of Egypt has dominated the Premier League in recent years, signing contracts with Vodafone, Adidas, and Pepsi, as well as having a massive following on social media.

$53 million

Salary: $35 (€32/£26) million - Sponsorships: $18 (€16/£13) million

9. Sadio Mané

Sadio Mané is Cristiano Ronaldo's most brilliant teammate at Al Nassr, but he is also the most supportive player in the world of football. From the beginning of his career he has worked to improve his native Senegal with new infrastructure such as schools, a petrol station, a post office and the implementation of 4G mobile coverage.

$52 million

Salary: $48 (€42/£35) million - Sponsorships: $4 (€3.68/£3) million

10. Kevin De Bruyne

He was on the verge of leaving City for Saudi Arabia, and it is rumored that CR wants him for Al Nassr next season. While his departure from Manchester is still pending, the Belgian magician rounds off the top ten with a top salary and deals with brands such as Nike and McDonald's.

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$39 million

Salary: $35 (€32/£26) million - Sponsorships: $4 (€3.68/£3) million