Top 10 Highest Paid Footballer in the World – 2025 (Ranked)

Football is one of the most popular games on this planet, and with such high stature and stakes comes a lot of money. As such, the highest paid footballer make for some of the wealthiest athletes across all sports globally. That said, some may be left shocked by the exorbitant amounts of money that top football teams shell out on a weekly and yearly basis. From youngster Lamine Yamal to one of the greatest soccer players in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo, we have included players from all leagues, showcasing the diversity of our list.

All things considered, it may still be a fair investment, seeing that these high-profile players are some of the best in the business and have made it a habit to deliver the goods on the biggest occasions and on the biggest stages. Thus, the highest paid footballer in the world are known to have put in years and years of hard work and toil, which has in turn made them deserving of the riches and the wealth that they have accumulated. Now, let’s find out who is the highest paid footballer in the world after the famous financial organization Forbes unveiled the list of the highest paid footballers.

List of Highest Paid Footballers 2025

Now, let’s take a look at the list of the highest paid footballers 2025, based on their annual salary, that these players are getting right now.

Note: The above-mentioned total earnings are taken from Forbes.

Who is the Highest Paid Footballer in the World?

Well, these football players are being paid a large amount of money, while some of them are still playing in Europe, others are playing in the United States, and some are playing in Saudi Arabia.

10. Lamine Yamal (Spain)

The Kopa Trophy winner and the runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d'Or Lamine Yamal, started earning when he joined Barca's La Masia Academy. with small bonuses for training and matches. At 15, his debut in 2023 brought a pro contract worth €1 million yearly, plus image rights deals. By 2024, his breakout season added performance bonuses, pushing his salary to €5 million. The early fame brought brands like Adidas to him gave him sponsorship worth €2 million annually.

Cut to 2025, where he has been labelled as the best youngster on the planet currently. In 2025, Yamal's total hits $43 million, with $33 million on-field from Barcelona's main deal and bonuses for assists. Off-field, $10 million comes from Adidas, Konami video games, Powerade drinks, and new Beats by Dre headphones. Yamal also trademarked his 304 celebration, which hints at a future project off the field that may help him climb the ladder.

9. Jude Bellingham (England)

Bellingham was given a monthly stipend of £50,000 yearly when he was playing for Birmingham. Little did he know that in a few years he would become one of the highest paid footballer in the world. His 2020 Dortmund move tripled his stipend to €3 million, including goal bonuses. By 2023, Real Madrid's €20 million signing fee and €15 million salary set him up, with add-ons for trophies.

The English midfielder Bellingham earned $44 million total in 2025, splitting $29 million on-field from Madrid's base pay and if he earns $15 million from off-the-field activities, which include Adidas sponsorship and Lucozade campaigns, plus mental health charity tie-ins that attract family brands.

8. Sadio Mane (Senegal)

By all means, there can be no doubts regarding Sadio Mane’s abilities as a player and his status as a future Liverpool legend. One of the most prolific attackers of the Premier League in his time, Mane’s range and collection of goals will always be fondly remembered in Merseyside. He is one of the world highest paid footballer, as he is earning an extravagant amount of €769k per week at Al Nassr.

Mane's $54 million breaks down to $50 million on-field from Al Nassr's massive Saudi contract, including loyalty incentives. Off-field $4 million stems from his long New Balance partnership for cleats and apparel. Also, Mane is known for having a heart of gold, donating regularly to the deprived and struggling in Senegal. Not only that, but he has also overseen the construction of wells, hospitals, and schools in the remote village areas of the country as his way of giving back to his home and community.

7. Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

The Egypt National Football Team captain Mohamed Salah, started his football journey with Basel, where he used to earn €1 million annually. His move to Chelsea then raised his pay almost four times to €4 million, but he was yet to achieve greatness. His move to the most successful EPL club Liverpool changed everything for the Egyptian.

It's his performance that made him earn $55 million which includes $35 million on-field income from Liverpool's extension with Premier League top-scorer clauses. Off-field $20 million covers undisclosed sponsors like telecoms and watches, which make him stand among highest paid footballers.

6. Vinicius Jr (Brazil)

The FIFA Men’s Player of the Year winner, Vinicius Junior, has been one of the highest paid footballers 2025. The Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior has witnessed a rise in his base salary over the years at the Los Blancos. In 2025, he is earning an estimated base salary of €25 million.

Well, it justifies as he has been with the club for quite a long time now, delivering week after week. Although many expected him to lead the attacking line alongside Kylian Mbappe but he failed to deliver it when it mattered the most. With five goals and four assists already in La Liga this season, the 25-year-old remains a key figure to Los Blancos' title charge, proving his €25 million salary is money well spent as he eyes more silverware and monetary benefits ahead.

5. Erling Haaland (Norway)

Another one of the next generation of goal-getters is the man-machine, Erling Haaland. Bursting onto the scene with his unbelievable goal tallies, Haaland has now been leading the line for Manchester City for a few years now and is doing a very good job of it. With a number of top-scorer awards to his name already, Haaland’s ability to use his massive frame and speed to flood the goalmouth and add to his tally means that he is one of the very best in the business.

In addition to this, it helps that he plays for Manchester City, a club that is known for taking good care of its players. Despite his simpler approach to life, Haaland is one of the highest paid footballer players in the Premier League, and that is something he will look to ensure is the case for the future as well with his multimillion-dollar contract.

4. Kylian Mbappe (France)

Following his move to Real Madrid, things haven’t exactly been smooth sailing for the French superstar and talisman. After a short struggle to find his feet in the La Liga, he has gone beyond what many expected from him. That said, he is still one of the most prolific goal scorers in the world and on his day, can single-handedly decide the game, no matter how grand the occasion may be.

While his move from Paris Saint-Germain wasn’t the mega-money deal the people may have expected, his signing fee and salary at Real Madrid most certainly make up for that. With a legal battle with his former club regarding outstanding wages still ongoing, Kylian Mbappe could well find himself higher on this list of highest paid footballer 2025 much sooner than expected. Additionally, the accolades like the Pichichi award and the European Golden Boot award have added more income to his name and the Frenchman has shown no signs of stopping in the new season.

3. Karim Benzema (France)

Set to go down as a Real Madrid legend when all is said and done, Karim Benzema is living the dream with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. Having put in his best years in a Madrid shirt, Benzema has accumulated a trophy haul that many still only dream of. With his best years behind him, the Frenchman made the decision to move to Saudi Arabia, like many others, and is much better off for it.

While his start at Al-Ittihad may not have gotten off on the best note, Benzema has started to find his feet again, and with his new manager being the legendary French defender Laurent Blanc, fans can rest assured that his time in the game is far from over. Benzema has been earning a hefty amount of money and is ranked third on our list of the highest paid footballer in the world.

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Undoubtedly one of the best football players of all time, it only makes sense that he is also one of the highest paid footballer. Since his departure from FC Barcelona, it has been an interesting ride for the Argentine king as he first made his way to Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Inter Miami, where he has found some solid footing.

Now surrounded by more of his former Barcelona teammates, Lionel Messi is arguably having the time of his life, playing with them and making an absolute killing while doing so. Having achieved almost everything in football, it’s no surprise that he remains one of the highest-paid footballers in 2025. His immense stature and GOAT status continue to attract major brand deals, earning him millions and keeping him relevant as one of the highest paid footballer in the world.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Easily at the top of the highest-paid footballers in the world, by a substantial margin, is Al Nassr Forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Following an exemplary career at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, the move to Al-Nassr fills Ronaldo’s competitive fire and desire to win, whilst earning him a mega payday. While he can easily walk away from the sport at any time, his desire and dedication are what make him one of the best of all time, and that is exactly how he is being treated at Al-Nassr.

While his work on the field will always be remembered for years to come, Ronaldo has also spent a lot of time making things work for him off the pitch as well. If we breakdown his total earnings, Ronaldo's $280 million out of which $230 million is from on-field income mainly from Nassr, including commercial incentives. Off-field $50 million from Nike, Binance crypto, Herbalife supplements, CR7 hotels, gyms, watches, and 77 million-sub YouTube.