The Top Earners: Highest Paid Soccer Player In The World 2025

Forbes has unveiled the world’s top 10 highest-paid soccer players, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the pack for the sixth time in the past decade.

The list accounts for both on-field earnings—base salaries, bonuses, and image rights—and off-field income, including endorsements, licensing deals, and other commercial ventures.

While perennial stars like Ronaldo and Lionel Messi continue to dominate, new entrants such as Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior have joined the elite group. Collectively, these 10 players earn nearly $1 billion annually.

Notable omissions from last year include Neymar and Kevin De Bruyne, with Neymar estimated to earn $38 million following the conclusion of his stint at Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.

Among the newcomers, Lamine Yamal, at just 18, becomes the youngest player ever to appear on Forbes’ top 10 list.

Here Are The Top 10 Highest Paid Soccer Player In The World Today

Below is a compiled list of the highest-paid football players in the world today.

10. Lamine Yamal – $43 Million

• Age: 18

• Club: Barcelona

• Nationality: Spain

• On-Field Earnings: $33 million

• Off-Field Earnings: $10 million

Lamine Yamal is the only teenager in the top 10, highlighting his meteoric rise in world football. Recently awarded Barcelona’s iconic No.10 shirt, he also boasts sponsorships with brands like Beats by Dre, adidas, and Powerade.

9. Jude Bellingham – $44 Million

• Age: 22

• Club: Real Madrid

• Nationality: England

• On-Field Earnings: $29 million

• Off-Field Earnings: $15 million

Bellingham’s high-profile transfer to Real Madrid in 2023 has paid off, as he won La Liga and the Champions League in his first season. Off the pitch, he partners with adidas and Louis Vuitton, and his growing international profile earned him a spot as an EA Sports FC cover star.

8. Sadio Mané – $54 Million

• Age: 33

• Club: Al Nassr

• Nationality: Senegal

• On-Field Earnings: $50 million

• Off-Field Earnings: $4 million

Former Liverpool star Sadio Mané continues to earn top-tier wages in Saudi Arabia alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. While his contract expires at the end of the season, his $50 million on-field salary secures him a spot among the world’s highest earners.

7. Mohamed Salah – $55 Million

• Age: 33

• Club: Liverpool

• Nationality: Egypt

• On-Field Earnings: $35 million

• Off-Field Earnings: $20 million

Salah remains Liverpool’s talisman, with one of the most successful recent seasons of his career, winning a record-tying 20th English league title. He also ranks high for off-field earnings, fueled by sponsorships and global brand appeal.

6. Vinícius Júnior – $60 Million

• Age: 25

• Club: Real Madrid

• Nationality: Brazil

• On-Field Earnings: $40 million

• Off-Field Earnings: $20 million

Vinícius Júnior has become a star at Real Madrid and a marketable figure, with deals including Nike and Gatorade. Ranked among the top global earners in 2025, his future remains a topic of speculation amid ongoing contract negotiations.

5. Erling Haaland – $80 Million

• Age: 25

• Club: Manchester City

• Nationality: Norway

• On-Field Earnings: $60 million

• Off-Field Earnings: $20 million

Haaland has cemented himself as one of football’s most prolific goal-scorers. With 94 goals in 104 Premier League appearances and 12 already this season, he also enjoys high-value endorsement deals, including a major partnership with Nike.

4. Kylian Mbappé – $95 Million

• Age: 26

• Club: Real Madrid

• Nationality: France

• On-Field Earnings: $70 million

• Off-Field Earnings: $25 million

Mbappé continues to break records at Real Madrid, with impressive on-field earnings and a growing portfolio of off-field deals. His move to Madrid, long anticipated, has solidified his status as one of the sport’s most marketable stars.

3. Karim Benzema – $104 Million

• Age: 37

• Club: Al-Ittihad

• Nationality: France

• On-Field Earnings: $100 million

• Off-Field Earnings: $4 million

Benzema, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, enjoys one of the most lucrative contracts globally while playing in the Saudi Pro League. Despite limited off-field earnings, his $100 million salary places him third on the Forbes list.

2. Lionel Messi – $130 Million

• Age: 38

• Club: Inter Miami

• Nationality: Argentina

• On-Field Earnings: $60 million

• Off-Field Earnings: $70 million

Messi’s move to Inter Miami has transformed MLS viewership. Beyond the pitch, he earns more than any other player in endorsements, launching his own sports drink, Más+ by Messi, and planning the Messi Cup youth tournament.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $280 Million

• Age: 40

• Club: Al Nassr

• Nationality: Portugal

• On-Field Earnings: $230 million

• Off-Field Earnings: $50 million

At 40, Ronaldo remains football’s highest earner. With over 1 billion followers across social media and lucrative deals including Nike, Binance, and his CR7 brand, he continues to dominate both on and off the field, chasing the milestone of 1,000 career goals.

FAQ

1. Who is the highest-paid soccer player in the world in 2025?

Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid soccer player in the world, earning an estimated $230 million annually.

2. How are soccer players’ earnings calculated?

A player’s total earnings come from multiple streams:

• Base salary paid by their club

• Performance bonuses (goals, assists, trophies, appearances)

• Signing bonuses and loyalty bonuses

• Endorsements from brands like Nike, Adidas, Pepsi, and tech companies

• Image rights deals, which can be extremely lucrative

When combined, these determine how much a player earns annually.

3. Which league pays the highest salaries in 2025?

In 2025, the Saudi Pro League continues to offer the world’s highest salaries due to massive investment in football talent.
Close contenders include:

• Premier League (England)

• MLS (United States) for marquee players

• Ligue 1 (France)

• LaLiga (Spain)

However, no league matches Saudi Arabia’s financial offers for elite stars.

4. Are endorsement deals more profitable than player salaries?

For global superstars, yes. Players like Messi, Ronaldo, and Mbappé earn more from endorsements than from club wages, thanks to worldwide brand partnerships, social media influence, and personal businesses. For most players, however, club salary remains the biggest earnings source.

5. Why are some soccer players earning more in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabian clubs offer exceptionally high wages due to:

• Government-backed investment in sports

• Desire to attract global superstars

• Tax benefits

• Multi-year contracts with guaranteed income

• Commercial rights deals that increase total earnings

This makes the league extremely attractive for top players seeking huge financial packages.

6. Who is the highest-paid young soccer player in 2025?

Lamine Yamal is currently the highest-paid young soccer player in 2025

7. Which player has the highest net worth in 2025?

Most financial analysts estimate Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth to be between $600 million and $750 million, making him the wealthiest footballer globally.

8. How much do female soccer players earn compared to male players?

Female soccer players generally earn significantly less than their male counterparts, although salaries have been rising in recent years. In top leagues, female players typically earn between $50,000 and $300,000 annually, while global superstars can make $1–3 million per year when endorsements are included.

By comparison, elite male players earn tens of millions annually from club salaries alone, with total earnings often exceeding $50–100 million when sponsorships are added.

The pay gap is still large, but the growth of women’s football—especially the Women’s World Cup, UEFA competitions, and increased brand sponsorships—is helping to push salaries upward worldwide.

9. Do transfer fees affect a player’s salary?

Yes, transfer fees often influence a player’s salary. When a club pays a high transfer fee, it usually signals that the player is highly valued, which gives the player and their agent stronger leverage to negotiate a higher wage, signing bonus, or improved contract terms.

However, the transfer fee itself is paid to the selling club, not the player. The player only benefits indirectly through a better contract.

In some cases, players involved in free transfers (with no transfer fee) may even earn higher salaries because the buying club saves money on the transfer and can redirect that budget into the player’s wage package and bonuses.

11. What factors influence a club’s decision to pay high salaries?

Clubs choose to pay high salaries when a player offers exceptional sporting value or significant commercial benefits. Key factors include:

• Performance level: Players with proven ability—goals, assists, leadership, or defensive quality—command higher wages.

• Market value and reputation: Global superstars attract fans, sponsors, and media attention, increasing a club’s revenue.

• Commercial impact: Players who boost shirt sales, social media reach, and brand partnerships are worth higher investment.

• Competition from other clubs: When multiple clubs want the same player, salary offers rise to win the negotiation.

• Contract length and stability: Clubs pay more to secure long-term deals with top talent.

• Age and potential: Young rising stars with high future value often earn premium salaries early.

• Club financial strength: Wealthier clubs, or those in leagues with large broadcast deals, can afford higher wage structures.

Overall, clubs pay high salaries when the player’s presence is expected to improve performance on the field and generate strong financial returns off the field.

12. Are soccer player salaries taxed differently in each country?

Yes, soccer player salaries are taxed differently depending on the country they play in. Each nation has its own income tax laws, residency rules, and special exemptions that directly affect how much a player takes home.

• High-tax countries such as France, Spain, and the UK can reduce a player’s net salary because a large portion goes to income tax.

• Tax-friendly nations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and some U.S. states impose little to no income tax, allowing players to keep a much larger share of their earnings.

• Special tax incentives exist in some countries (e.g., Italy’s “Beckham Law” in the past, or similar tax reliefs for foreign athletes), which can make playing there more financially attractive.

• Bonuses and image rights may also be taxed differently, depending on how contracts are structured.

In short, the same gross salary can result in very different net earnings depending on the country’s tax system, which is why taxation plays a major role in transfer decisions and contract negotiations.