- 1. Cristiano Ronaldo – Al-Nassr (£237.8m per year)
- 2. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami (£103m per year)
- 3. Karim Benzema – Al-Ittihad (£80.3m per year)
- 4. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid (£73.3m per year)
- 5. Erling Haaland – Manchester City (£53m per year)
- 6. Riyad Mahrez – Al-Ahli (£42.4m per year)
- 7. Sadio Mané – Al-Nassr (£34.9m per year)
- 8. Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona (£33.6m per year)
- 9. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool (£33.2m per year)
- 10. Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid (£31.9m per year)
- 11. Harry Kane – Bayern Munich (£30.7m per year)
- 12. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid (£29.9m per year)
- 13. Trent Alexander-Arnold – Real Madrid (£29.3m per year)
- 14. Kalidou Koulibaly – Al-Hilal (£27.7m per year)
- 15. Ivan Toney – Al-Ahli (£25.4m per year)
- 16. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona (£23.6m per year)
- 17. Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich (£22.3m per year)
- 18. Frenkie de Jong – Barcelona (£20.1m per year)
- 19. N’Golo Kanté – Al-Ittihad (£19.9m per year)
- 20. Sergej Milinković-Savić – Al-Hilal (£19.9m per year)
From Erling Haaland to Cristiano Ronaldo, these are the highest paid footballers in the world for 2025.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – Al-Nassr (£237.8m per year)
In Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo picked up his Golden Boot, and Al Nassr defeated Ekong’s Al-Kholood in League clash.
The Portuguese legend remains a global financial powerhouse. His Al-Nassr contract, paired with record-breaking endorsements and business ventures like CR7 hotels and fashion lines, keeps him top of the list with a staggering networth.
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2. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami (£103m per year)
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Lionel Messi in action for Inter Miami | Imago
Messi’s American adventure with Inter Miami continues to pay handsomely.
The World Cup winner earns over £100 million annually through a blend of salary, Apple TV+ revenue share, and global endorsement deals with Adidas and Pepsi.
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3. Karim Benzema – Al-Ittihad (£80.3m per year)
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Karim Benzema in action for Al Ittihad. Credit: IMAGO
The former Real Madrid striker joined the Saudi Pro League in 2023, signing a deal that skyrocketed his income.
Despite fitness struggles, Benzema remains one of the highest paid footballers in the world, earning over £80 million annually.
4. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid (£73.3m per year)
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Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe | Credit: IMAGO
Mbappe’s long-awaited move to Real Madrid finally happened in 2024, bringing with it one of the most lucrative football contracts in Europe.
His deal includes hefty goal bonuses, image rights, and personal sponsorships with Nike and Hublot, putting him in the top 5 highest paid footballers in the world.
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5. Erling Haaland – Manchester City (£53m per year)
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The Norwegian superstar’s goal-scoring exploits continue to reward him richly. The gaolscoirng viking signed a lucrative long-term deal at City until 2034 and continues to deliver on the field.
Alongside his reported £500,000-a-week salary, Haaland has major partnerships with Nike and EA Sports, cementing his position among the global elite.
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6. Riyad Mahrez – Al-Ahli (£42.4m per year)
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Riyad Mahrez won AFCON with Algeria in 2019 | Credit: Instagram
Mahrez’s switch from Manchester City to Saudi Arabia boosted his annual earnings dramatically.
The Algerian winger enjoys one of the league’s best contracts, proving that Saudi clubs remain major players in the global wage race.
7. Sadio Mané – Al-Nassr (£34.9m per year)
Mané joined Al-Nassr alongside Ronaldo and continues to thrive financially, becoming one of the world’s highest paid footballers.
His mix of wages and sponsorships pushes him close to £35 million annually, securing his place among the highest paid footballers in the world.
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8. Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona (£33.6m per year)
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Barcelona’s goal machine Robert Lewandowski | Credit: Imago
Still one of Europe’s sharpest strikers, Lewandowski earns an impressive salary at Barcelona despite the club’s financial struggles.
His commercial deals with brands like Huawei and Nike keep his total close to £34 million a year.
9. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool (£33.2m per year)
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Mo Salah lifting the EPL trophy |Photo Credit: Liverpool FC on Instagram
Salah signed a reported £400,000-a-week deal to stay at Liverpool until 2028, and that contract remains one of the Premier League’s highest.
Combined with endorsements from Adidas and Pepsi, the Egyptian icon’s yearly income exceeds £33 million.
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10. Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid (£31.9m per year)
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Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr was named Best Men’s Player at Globe Awards.
The Brazilian forward may have missed out on last year’s Ballon d’Or, but he is still one of the highest paid footballers in the world in 2025.
Vini has become a global superstar, earning nearly £32 million annually thanks to his new Real Madrid contract and growing influence as one of Nike’s top ambassadors.
11. Harry Kane – Bayern Munich (£30.7m per year)
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Harry Kane becomes the fastest centurion at Bayern Munich. (Photo Credit: Bayern/X)
Kane’s 2023 move to Bayern brought both goals and riches.
His £400,000-a-week deal, plus commercial endorsements, puts him firmly among the highest paid footballers in the world.
12. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid (£29.9m per year)
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Jude Bellingham started for England in their World Cup qualifier against Andorra | IMAGO
At only 22, Bellingham already earns close to £30 million annually.
He is one of the most recognisable faces on the global scene, and there is certainly more to come. His performances and personality have made him one of football’s most marketable young stars.
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13. Trent Alexander-Arnold – Real Madrid (£29.3m per year)
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Trent Alexander-Arnold || Imago
Trent-Alexander Arnold finally landed his move to Real Madrid back in June, and it came with considerable financial benefits.
The England defender’s move Spain saw him secure a huge salary increase and global exposure, earning him just over £29 million annually.
14. Kalidou Koulibaly – Al-Hilal (£27.7m per year)
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Kalidou Koulibaly now plays for Saudi giants Al-Hilal. | Credit: Getty Images
The Senegal captain’s switch to Saudi Arabia was financially transformative.
His £27.7m salary reflects the Pro League’s continued push to attract top European talent.
15. Ivan Toney – Al-Ahli (£25.4m per year)
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Ivan Toney of Al Ahli | Imago
After leaving Brentford, Toney’s move to Saudi Arabia earned him a contract worth £25 million a year.
His growing profile off the pitch adds further value.
16. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona (£23.6m per year)
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Lamine Yamal and his girlfriend Nicki Nicole | Photo Credit: Instagram/@lamineyamal
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Lamine Yamal is currently injured for Barcelona | Credit: Getty
Yamal has gone from a wide-eyed teenager just bursting on to the scene, to one of footbal’s highest paid stars.
The teenage sensation is already one of the highest earners in La Liga, with Barcelona securing his long-term future on a massive new deal until 2030.
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17. Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich (£22.3m per year)
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German-Nigerian star Jamal Musiala | Imago
Bayern Munich star Musiala iis one of football’s most talented stars.
The German prodigy combines technical brilliance with major sponsorships, including Adidas, earning over £22 million annually.
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18. Frenkie de Jong – Barcelona (£20.1m per year)
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Frenkie de Jong of Barcelona | IMAGO
Barcelona’s Frenkie De Jong remains one of the world’ highest paid footballers.
His strong negotiating stance has paid off, keeping him among the world’s best-paid midfielders despite transfer speculation, and he is expected to sign a contract extension shortly.
19. N’Golo Kanté – Al-Ittihad (£19.9m per year)
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N’golo Kante of Al Ittihad | Credit: Instagram/Al Ittihad
Kante may not be one for the flashy life, fast cars, and exotic women, but he remains handsomely paid.
The ex-Chelsea man exhudes calm professionalism and consistency, which earned him a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia worth nearly £20 million annually.
20. Sergej Milinković-Savić – Al-Hilal (£19.9m per year)
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Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
The Serbian midfielder’s move from Lazio to Al-Hilal sees him close out the top 20 list with a salary matching Kanté’s.
