Football is both the most popular sport globally and one of the most profitable. The most talented players are not limited to unforgettable results on the field; they also benefit from high contracts and numerous commercial partnerships. According to the American magazine Forbes, the highest paid footballers in 2024 are mainly superstars who play in the major European championships, but also in the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo tops the bill with a total income of $295 million (around 263 million euros). According to American media, the Portuguese receives 220 million dollars in salaries on the field, compared to 65 million off the pitch.
He is followed by “CR7” and Lionel Messi. The Argentinian is the only one among the top 10 to have obtained more money from sponsorship deals ($75 million) than from his club ($60 million).
In this ranking, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané are the only two African players present in the top 10. Mohamed Salah, one of the best strikers in the world, is the second highest paid player in the English championship.
After a disappointing season with Bayern Munich, Sadio Mané transferred to Al Nassr. Thanks to the financial capacity of the Saudi league to attract talent, Mané receives an annual income of 52 million.
The complete top 10 highest paid footballers in 2024
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr): 285 M$ (263 M€)
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) : 135 M$ (124 M€)
- Neymar (Al-Hilal) : 110 M$ (101 M€)
- Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad) : 104 M$ (96 M€)
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, ESP) : 90 M$ (83 M€)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City) 60 M$ (55 M€)
- Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid): 55 M$ (51 M€)
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) 53 M$ (49 M€)
- Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr) : $52 M (€48 M)
- Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) : 39 M$ (36 M€)
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