The Top 10 Highest-Paid Footballers in the World
Football is the most popular sport on the planet and it attracts some of the biggest names in the game. With immense sporting fervor, success stories of underdogs, and nail-biting competition, it’s not hard to understand why it holds such fascination for almost everyone.
Andres Iniesta has long since left Barcelona, but the Spanish veteran earns a decent chunk of change from his current club Vissel Kobe.
Lionel Messi
Football is a sport that has captured the imagination of fans all around the globe. The huge salaries, nail-biting competitions, and iconic players have piqued the interest of everyone.
Lionel Messi, who plays for Ligue 1 powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain, is the world’s highest-paid player. He earns a whopping $75 million a year, which includes salary and endorsements.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still a big earner even after leaving Juventus for a blockbuster move to Al Nassr last summer. Interestingly, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are well into their 30s while Kylian Mbappe is just 23 years old.
The French star has been instrumental in guiding his club to the top of the league and is also a global brand ambassador for Adidas. He is a highly regarded humanitarian and has founded his foundation.
Neymar
A new name has climbed to the top of the list this year as Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar earns more than his Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi and rival Cristiano Ronaldo combined, according to Forbes. He reportedly makes $128 million in salaries and endorsement deals, including one with sportswear giant Nike.
The Brazilian striker is known to spend his money on designer gear, often wearing outfits from brands such as Balmain, Louis Vuitton, and Off-White. He has also bought a luxury second-hand yacht that can accommodate up to nine people.
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea rounds out the top five, with a salary of more than PS375,000 per week. Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah follows in sixth, after his new deal at a club known for their financial prudence. He also has many lucrative sponsorships.
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe, whose contract terms are not public (as is often the case with soccer contracts), re-signed with PSG last year through 2025. The French forward made a name for himself at the 2016 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, where he scored five goals in the final to win the title. After flirting with a move to Real Madrid, Mbappe turned down the opportunity and signed a lucrative deal in Paris.
He also rakes in money off the field through endorsement deals, including a multiyear deal with Nike and a multimillion-dollar contract with luxury fashion brand Mengniu. Norwegian international Erling Haaland, for whom Manchester City paid a $63 million transfer fee in 2022, is new to this list and should earn $35 million this season.
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Andres Iniesta
Professional football is a hugely profitable business and the top players rake in a lot of cash both from their salaries and endorsement deals. Here are the world's top 10 highest-paid players.
Andres Iniesta may not be the player he was at Barcelona but he hasn't retired and is still making big money playing for Vissel Kobe in Japan. The midfielder earns over $23 million a year and also makes a good amount from endorsements.
Kevin De Bruyne is another big earner on this list despite being in the midst of a slump at Manchester City. The Belgian is one of the best players in the game and also makes a huge amount from endorsements.
Eden Hazard
Football is a sport that stirs the passion of fervent fans around the world. There are many reasons behind this, including nail-biting competition, iconic players, and the records that get broken. But, for some, it is also about the money.
Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo are the big names that occupy the top spots in terms of earnings but a new generation of talent is making it their own. Erling Haaland is the next big name to make an appearance on this list, despite being only 22 years old. The Norwegian forward earns a combined $35 million in salaries and bonuses plus $4 million in endorsements. He joined Manchester City last summer and has been firing on all cylinders. He is tipped to be the best player in Europe this year. It's not a bad deal for his efforts.
Kevin De Bruyne
A fine midfielder who is adept at creating and providing opportunities for others, Kevin De Bruyne came to Manchester City with a huge reputation in the summer of 2016. Since joining Pep Guardiola’s side he has become one of the best playmakers in world football.
The Belgian is renowned for his vision and ability to split defenses with defense-splitting passes. He has been a key member of the team under Guardiola, helping them win two Premier League titles, five Carabao Cups, and an FA Cup in his time at City.
The top 10 is dominated by players from Spain’s top flight, with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, Erling Haaland, and Pedri all cutting, along with Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong. The list is compiled by Football Benchmark, using market valuations from the CIES Football Observatory, and takes into account contract lengths.
Mohamed Salah
Immense sporting fervor, iconic players, and nail-biting competition all help to keep football fans hooked. However, it is the net worth and earnings of those at the top of their game which captures everyone's attention.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is one of the highest-paid players in the world thanks to his wages and endorsements. The Egyptian has earned millions since joining the Reds from Roma in a transfer worth up to £43 million.
Salah ranks ahead of the likes of France internationals Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann, and Gareth Bale but behind PSG stars Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jnr, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Football Benchmark reports that Salah's wages alone are around £24m per year and his commercial income is $10-13 million. The figure is likely to rise after the forward signs a new contract with the club.
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Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe is the only player under 30 in this year’s top 10, and his presence signals a new wave of youth players ready to dominate global soccer. The French superstar should earn $105 million between salary and a share of his signing bonus from Paris Saint-Germain this season, according to Sportico estimates, and has endorsement deals with Nike, Mengniu, Christian Dior, Hublot, Oakley, and EA Sports, among others.
The Manchester City midfielder is a popular figure thanks to his success at club and country level, as well as his lucrative commercial deals. The Spaniard has even launched his line of football boots, Capitten, which is worth a reported $30 million each year.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Despite his recent move to Manchester City, Ronaldo remains one of the highest-paid players in world football. His salary alone is around USD 105 million a year and he makes more from endorsement deals with TAG Heuer, CLEAR Haircare, Herbalife Nutrition, and Nike.
He has four Champions League titles and three Club World Cups to his name, as well as two La Liga championships and a pair of UEFA Super Cups. He is also the most successful player in the history of the Ballon d’Or, winning it five times.
Kevin De Bruyne, who is expected to earn nearly USD 63 million this season, is another key cog in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side. He and Mbappe are the only players under 30 to make this list, signaling a youth movement set to dominate global soccer for years to come.
Neymar Jr.
Football is one of the most lucrative sports in the world, with superstar players earning millions from salaries and commercial endorsements. These athletes are considered demigods in their home countries, and their huge worldwide fan following helps them get huge signing fees for transfers and hefty salaries for domestic leagues and international competitions.
Neymar Jr, who is arguably the best player in the world at the moment, earned a massive paycheck when PSG signed him from Barcelona last year. The Brazilian earns $55 million per year from wages and another $32 million from his sponsorship deals.
Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne also appears on the list, earning around $29m annually from both wages and commercial deals. Andres Iniesta is a surprising inclusion after moving to the Japanese club Vissel Kobe. Gareth Bale and Yaya Toure complete the top 10, while Chelsea forward Eden Hazard lands in the ninth spot.
Conclusion
Norwegian international Erling Haaland, for whom Manchester City paid a $63 million transfer fee in 2022, is new to this list and should earn $35 million this season. Football is one of the most lucrative sports in the world, with superstar players earning millions from salaries and commercial endorsements. The Brazilian earns $55 million per year from wages and another $32 million from his sponsorship deals.
