Football’s biggest names aren’t just dominating the pitch—they’re dominating bank accounts. From Cristiano Ronaldo to Jude Bellingham, 2025 has revealed just how lucrative the beautiful game has become, with record-breaking contracts and eye-watering endorsement deals shaking up the rankings. Here’s the latest on the top 20 highest-paid footballers in the world this year.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – Al-Nassr (£237.8m per year)
At 40, Ronaldo continues to rewrite football history—not just on the field, but in finance. Between his jaw-dropping Al-Nassr salary and global business empire (CR7 hotels, fashion lines, and mega endorsements), he’s now the first footballer to hit the $1 billion mark.
2. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami (£103m per year)
The World Cup hero combines his Inter Miami earnings with Apple TV+ shares and iconic sponsorships, keeping him comfortably in second place.
3. Karim Benzema – Al-Ittihad (£80.3m per year)
Even with fitness struggles, Benzema’s Saudi Pro League contract ensures the former Real Madrid star remains one of the richest players in the game.
4. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid (£73.3m per year)
The long-awaited move to Madrid came with one of the richest European deals ever, including performance bonuses and sponsorships with Nike and Hublot.
5. Erling Haaland – Manchester City (£53m per year)
City’s goal machine continues to cash in, with a lucrative contract running to 2034, plus partnerships with Nike and EA Sports.
6-10: Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mané, Robert Lewandowski, Mohamed Salah, Vinicius Jr
These global superstars have all leveraged moves to Saudi Arabia, Spain, or major European clubs to secure seven-figure deals, cementing their spots in the financial elite.
11-20: Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ivan Toney, Lamine Yamal, Jamal Musiala, Frenkie de Jong, N’Golo Kanté, Sergej Milinković-Savić
From Premier League stalwarts to La Liga and Bundesliga prodigies, these players combine on-field excellence with lucrative contracts and endorsements, proving that football’s new generation isn’t just chasing trophies—they’re chasing financial dominance.
Bottom Line: 2025 shows the game is bigger than ever. Legends like Ronaldo and Messi remain untouchable, but young talents like Bellingham, Musiala, and Yamal are rapidly climbing the earnings ladder. Football isn’t just about winning—it’s about cashing in while doing it.
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