Highest Paid Footballers [10 Great Richest Footballers]

The world of football is full of superstars and talented players who deservedly earn a lot of money doing what they do best: playing football. The market includes many powerful teams and club owners willing to pay astronomical amounts of money to acquire the best players for their teams and reach the top of international leagues and tournaments. And this situation occurs in all corners of the world.

Whether they play in the Premier League, the Saudi Pro League, or La Liga EA Sports, these players shake up the football scene and revolutionize the field with their magnificent skills. Now, let’s get straight to knowing who these rich footballers are!

Table of Contents

• Highest Paid Footballers [10 Great Richest Footballers]
  • Who Are the Highest-Paid Footballers in the Present?
  • Become the Richest Footballer in the World with FootballTeam

Who Are the Highest-Paid Footballers in the Present?

Get to know the footballers with the highest salaries in the world, from Cristiano Ronaldo to Kevin de Bruyne to Leo Messi.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr)

Simply put, Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the highest-paid player in the world, and how could it be any other way? The Portuguese has been revolutionizing the world of football for twenty years due to his magnificent dribbling, his athletic ability, and his outstanding number of goals.

Since his time at Manchester United, the G.O.A.T. has charmed fans and non-football fans alike, becoming one of the best players of all time. 

Thanks to his achievements, Cristiano Ronaldo has become one of the most expensive players in history, especially now that he plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr. Originally, the Portuguese had a two-year deal agreement, but he has expanded it until 2025. This team is bringing together incredible players from all over the world. 

The Saudi market is known for offering large salaries to its players, and Cristiano Ronaldo is no exception. Furthermore, thanks to the “Commander,” Al-Nassr has fought for the top positions in Saudi football, so he deserves this payment.

Cristiano’s salary is 200 million dollars, plus another 60 million for advertising: a total of 260 million dollars and more per season!

Karim Benzema (Ittihad FC)

Karim Benzema is another magnificent footballer who emigrated to Saudi Arabia to finish his career in the best possible way and earn a lot of money in the process. And he totally deserved it since he won the Ballon d’Or in 2022. Thanks to this award, Benzema touched the sky of football, seeking new horizons where he could demonstrate his skills. That said, Benzema flew to the Middle East to join the staff of Ittihad FC, another great Saudi football team. The French signed a contract for 3 seasons but with the possibility of becoming a four-year deal agreement. 

Currently, Karin Benzema earns 100 million dollars from his lofty salary alone. Through commercial agreements, he will receive a similar amount, reaching 200 million dollars per season.

Neymar JR (Al-Hilal)

Like Benzema, Neymar JR signed a contract with Al-Hilal for $100 million per season for the two seasons that the Brazilian forward will play in the first division of the Saudi soccer league. Since joining Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, Neymar has become one of the highest-paid football players in the world, just behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Since leaving Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar JR sought a new challenge, and Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia proved to be the perfect destination. Like many top European players who have moved to the Saudi league to conclude their careers while earning lucrative weekly wages, Neymar followed suit. 

In addition to his substantial salary, he benefits from various commercial deals, much like Benzema’s earnings from sponsorships, image rights, and other contracts. Altogether, Neymar is set to make a staggering $180 million per season!

Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid FC)

There are thousands of footballers in the world, but few like Kylian Mbappé and his incredible offensive skills. His dribbling and speed are among the most impressive on the planet, as he demonstrated in the last World Cup, Champions Leagues, and all the other tournaments. 

As it could not be otherwise, Mbappé is today one of the highest-paid players on the football planet, receiving a monthly check of 9 million dollars and a yearly salary of more than 72 million dollars. Mbappé joined Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Without a doubt, Mbappé’s bank balance has increased significantly in recent years since the French won the World Cup with the French national team, becoming one of the best footballers in the world. His first season at his new club will likely be a complete success, as will the career of another of the most important French players in history: Zinedine Zidane.

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

Many consider Messi the greatest footballer of all time. His brilliance brings a unique magic to the game that sets him apart from other players. This is evident in the numerous awards and major tournament victories he has achieved in the world’s most prestigious leagues and competitions.

As one of the greatest footballers of all time, Messi fully deserves the salary that Inter Miami pays him, which amounts to $55 million per season. Although his annual earnings are some of the highest in world football, Messi still makes a lot of money from advertising deals and promoting different brands on Instagram and other social networks.

Although Messi’s debut season after leaving Barcelona and Europe wasn’t his best, he still made a huge impact on the American market. His arrival sparked a revolution, attracting other top players like Luis Suárez and elevating the league’s profile.

It is very likely that in the coming years, some Saudi businessmen will try to bring Messi to Saudi football. If that happens, Messi’s salary will increase significantly, and he will probably have many other benefits, such as a private jet, a single apartment for himself, and many more.

Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli)

Mahrez was one of those players who participated in the legendary underdog story of Premier League winners Leicester City. Still, he also won four Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy with Manchester City.

After helping Manchester City secure a historic treble in the 2022/23 season, Mahrez decided to explore new opportunities. He made the move to Saudi Arabia, joining one of the top teams in the region, Al-Ahli, in search of fresh challenges.

The Algerian sealed a $32 million contract with Al Ahli and is under the terms of his lucrative contract until 2027.

Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr)

Sadio Mané is Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate at Al-Nassr and one of the great strikers of the Saudi team. Without a doubt, Mané has been one of the big names to join the Saudi team in recent times, driving the game and the league like never before.

Like Cristiano Ronaldo, Mané’s salary is shaped by both his market value and his exceptional abilities. He earns $40 million, along with bonuses and endorsement deals. It’s no surprise, as Al-Nassr, one of Saudi Arabia’s top football teams, consistently leads the competition in most seasons.

After his seasons at Liverpool and Bayern Munich, Mané needs a new horizon to unleash his talent and earn good money. In this sense, the Saudi market revealed itself as the perfect opportunity for the Senegalese.

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

Although Kane has been nicknamed “The Man Who Can’t Win Anything,” Kane is actually one of the greatest players of our era, whether playing for Tottenham, Bayern Munich, or the England national team. 2024. What’s more! Harry Kane has been hailed many times as one of the greatest footballers who have played in the Premier League, alongside other genius players such as Mo Salah (Mohamed Salah), Kevin de Bruyne, and Erling Haaland.

In his pursuit of greatness, Harry Kane opted to leave Tottenham and the Premier League in the summer of 2023 to join Germany’s famed FC Bayern Munich. Note that Harry Kane’s salary more than doubled compared to the money he received when he played for Tottenham. In the current season, the Englishman earns 25 million dollars per season, plus advertising agreements and other benefits.

The German giants chose to take over the English player. Unfortunately, Bayer Leverkusen stole the title from Bayern Munich in Kane’s first season. However, Harry Kane has a lot to give to football, as we all expected!

Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)

Kevin de Bruyne is another player who brings value to the Premier League thanks to his incredible talent, ball control, outstanding plays, and magical passes. Not in vain, he has won numerous trophies throughout his career, especially in recent years at Manchester City.

The best player of the 2021-22 Premier League season has a lot to offer English football and national tournaments when he wears the colors of Belgium. And Manchester City knows it. For this reason, the English club maintains him as one of the most important players on its roster.

Throughout his career at major clubs like Chelsea and Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga, Kevin De Bruyne has consistently exceeded expectations, impressing both fans and fellow players. However, it’s in the Premier League where De Bruyne has reached his peak in earnings. In the current season, he earns $25 million—a figure that might seem modest considering Manchester City is one of the top and richest football clubs in the world.

There’s no doubt that De Bruyne is among the best in the game, and his salary will likely increase in the coming years, which wouldn’t surprise anyone. We’re eager to see him in his next match!

David Alaba (Real Madrid)

David Alaba is one of Real Madrid FC’s most valuable players and top names. The Spanish giants have many incredible footballers, but Alaba stands out above the rest. This situation is reflected in Alaba’s salary, which reaches $22.5 million for the 2024-25 season. They may not be the astronomical figures of Cristiano, Neymar, or Messi, but Alaba still takes a good part of the pie.

Alaba is Real Madrid’s second-highest-paid footballer, only behind Mbappé. He earns more than Luka Modric, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham. The Austrian left his former club, Bayern Munich, and immediately received a massive offer from Real Madrid, which surprised fans in “La Casa Blanca” and fans around the world.

However, Alaba has recently returned from a deep injury, marking a long absence that may affect his skills and position in the team. Even so, the 32-year-old defender is showing that he still thrives in the center and on the left of the field. Undoubtedly, Alaba will face a big challenge in the future, but he will be highly rewarded!

Become the Richest Footballer in the World with FootballTeam

Start your career at FootballTeam and become the greatest and wealthiest player in the world of football. Choose your player and join a team, sign a deal with a sponsor, and find your place on the football pitch. From there, the sky’s the limit!

Be as rich as Robert Lewandowski, Jordan Henderson, Kalidou Koulibaly, and others. FootballTeam is the game where you can reach your football dreams and the peak of this beautiful sport. Sign in or log in to your account to be the player you are destined to be!