Highest paid footballers – who is the highest paid footballer in the World?
Who is the highest paid footballer? Who are the highest paid footballers in the World? Have you ever thought of which football players that are the highest-paid footballers in The World? If yes then don’t worry because we have compiled a list of the Top 10 Highest Paid Footballers.
As you will see there is a huge difference in payment between females and males in football. Watch & Bet on Football =>
Who is the highest paid footballer? Here is our list with the top 10 highest paid footballers in the World!
Top 10 Highest-Paid Footballers by Club Salary (2025)
| Rank | Player | Club | Weekly Salary (€) | Annual Salary (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Al-Nassr | €4,000,000 | €208,400,000 |
| 2 | Riyad Mahrez | Al-Ahli | €1,000,000 | €52,200,000 |
| 3 | Karim Benzema | Al-Ittihad | €961,538 | €50,000,000 |
| 4 | Sadio Mané | Al-Nassr | €769,231 | €40,000,000 |
| 5 | Kalidou Koulibaly | Al-Hilal | €667,308 | €34,700,000 |
| 6 | Erling Haaland | Manchester City | €622,099 | €32,300,000 |
| 7 | Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid | €600,962 | €31,200,000 |
| 8 | Ivan Toney | Al-Ahli | €490,577 | €25,500,000 |
| 9 | Harry Kane | Bayern Munich | €480,769 | €25,000,000 |
| 10 | Aymeric Laporte | Al-Nassr | €471,154 | €24,500,000 |
10. Aymeric Laporte is one of the highest paid footballers in the World – €25 million per year
(Al-Nassr) rounds out the list with €471,154 weekly (€24.5 million annually). The Spanish defender moved from Manchester City to Al-Nassr in 2023, bolstering their defense.
His ball-playing ability and experience have been crucial for Al-Nassr, highlighting the Saudi league’s focus on building balanced squads with high-profile signings. Watch & Bet on Football =>
9. Harry Kane is one of the highest paid footballers in the World – €26 million per year
(Bayern Munich) earns €480,769 weekly (€25 million annually). Since joining Bayern from Tottenham, Kane has been a goal-scoring machine, breaking records in the Bundesliga.
His earnings reflect his status as one of the world’s top strikers, with bonuses tied to goals and trophies enhancing his base salary. Watch & Bet on Football =>
8. Ivan Toney is one of the highest paid footballers in the World – €35 million per year
(Al-Ahli) surprised many by earning €490,577 weekly (€25.5 million annually) after moving from Brentford to Al-Ahli in 2024.
The English striker’s clinical finishing and physical presence have made him a valuable asset in the Saudi Pro League. His contract exemplifies the league’s strategy of recruiting in-form players from top leagues
7. Kylian Mbappe is one of the highest paid footballers in the World – €37.5 million per year
(Real Madrid) earns €600,962 weekly (€31.2 million annually). His long-awaited move to Real Madrid in 2024 saw him take a pay cut from his PSG salary, but he received a €150 million signing bonus.
Mbappé’s speed and finishing make him the cornerstone of Madrid’s future, with bonuses potentially adding €777,308 weekly based on performance. Watch & Bet on Football =>
6. Erling Haaland is one of the highest paid footballers in the World – €40 million per year
(Manchester City) is Europe’s highest earner, with €622,099 weekly (€32.3 million annually).
His goal-scoring exploits in the Premier League and Champions League have made him indispensable to City.
Haaland’s contract, extended until 2034, includes performance bonuses that could further increase his earnings, reflecting his value as a generational talent.
5. Kalidou Koulibaly is the fifth highest-paid footballer – €53 million per year
(Al-Hilal) earns €667,308 weekly (€34.7 million annually), making him the world’s highest-paid defender. His move from Chelsea to Al-Hilal in 2023 emphasized Saudi Arabia’s focus on strengthening all positions.
Koulibaly’s defensive solidity and leadership have been vital for Al-Hilal, justifying the massive investment in his talent. Watch & Bet on Football =>
4. Sadio Mane is the fifth highest paid footballer – €72 million per year
Al-Nassr) receives €769,231 weekly (€40 million annually). After a successful stint at Bayern Munich, Mané moved to Al-Nassr in 2023, becoming a crucial part of their attack.
His earnings reflect his status as one of Africa’s finest players, with his pace and goal-scoring ability driving Al-Nassr’s ambitions in domestic and continental competitions.
3. Karim Benzema is third highest paid footballers in the World – €100 million per year
(Al-Ittihad) earns €961,538 weekly (€50 million annually). The Ballon d’Or winner joined Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad in 2023 and has since been a marquee player despite occasional performance dips.
His salary highlights the league’s willingness to invest in proven superstars, leveraging their fame to enhance the league’s global profile. Watch & Bet on Football =>
2. Riyad Mahrez is second highest paid footballers in the World – €100 million per year
(Al-Ahli) commands €1 million weekly (€52.2 million annually), making him the highest-paid African player. His move to the Saudi Pro League in 2023 elevated his earnings significantly.
Mahrez’s technical prowess and experience in top European leagues have made him a key figure in Al-Ahli’s project, reflecting the league’s strategy of attracting elite talent with lucrative contracts.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest paid footballer in the World – €208.4 million per year
Cristiano Ronaldo, the titan of football, comes in first place on our list. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr) earns a staggering €4 million weekly, translating to €208.4 million annually.
At 40, he remains football’s highest earner, thanks to his unparalleled legacy and marketability.
His contract with Al-Nassr, extended in 2025, underscores Saudi Arabia’s financial power in global football.
Ronaldo’s influence extends beyond the pitch, but his on-field earnings alone set a benchmark for athletes worldwide. Watch & Bet on Football =>
Who is the highest paid footballer? Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest paid footballer in the World.
Which footballer has the highest salary?
Cristiano Ronaldo currently holds this distinction. According to Forbes, he earned an astonishing $275 million between May 2024 and May 2025 — a combination of $225 million from his salary (playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia) and about $50 million from endorsements and business ventures.
This makes him not only the highest-paid footballer but also the highest-paid athlete in the world for 2025.
Who is the richest football player (by net worth)?
Faiq Bolkiah, a Bruneian prince and footballer, stands out as the wealthiest football player globally with an estimated net worth of $20 billion.
This vastly surpasses other famous footballers like Messi and Ronaldo, whose wealth stems from career earnings and endorsements rather than inheritance.
Who is the richest athlete in the world (by net worth)?
That title belongs to Michael Jordan, with an estimated net worth ranging between $3.5 billion to $3.6 billion as of 2025.
His wealth is primarily driven by the Jordan Brand’s royalty earnings, ownership and sale of NBA franchises (like the Charlotte Hornets), and various investments in sports and business ventures.
Is Conor McGregor the highest-paid athlete?
No — Conor McGregor was the highest-paid athlete in 2021, earning $180 million, largely due to the sale of his whiskey brand Proper No. Twelve.
However, in 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the top spot again with his $275 million earnings.
Is Ronaldo richer than Messi?
It depends on the metric:
Earnings (past year): Yes — Ronaldo’s $275 million tops Messi’s $135 million for 2025.
Net Worth: Messi leads slightly — estimated at $850 million, compared to Ronaldo’s $800 million.
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