Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané Fly the African Flag in 2025 Rich List of Football's Highest-Paid Stars

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again secured his position as the world's highest-paid soccer player, with projected earnings of a staggering $280 million for the 2025-26 season.

His long-time rival, Lionel Messi, follows in second place, highlighting their continued dominance both on and off the pitch.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s earnings are a combination of his club salary and significant off-field endorsements.

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Forbes estimates Cristiano Ronaldo will make $230 million from his Al Nassr contract, which includes commercial agreements facilitated by the club.

An additional $50 million comes from partnerships with global brands like Nike, Binance, and Herbalife, cementing his status as a commercial powerhouse.

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi holds the second spot with an impressive $130 million in total earnings. His move to Major League Soccer has not only boosted his income through salary and endorsements but has also significantly raised the profile of the sport in North America.

The 2025 list reveals a broader trend in global soccer economics. Seven of the top ten highest-paid players now compete outside of Europe's traditional top-five leagues, with the Saudi Pro League emerging as a financial heavyweight capable of attracting elite talent.

In total, the 10 highest-paid soccer players are expected to earn a combined $945 million before taxes and agent fees. The entry point for this exclusive list has risen to $43 million, the total earnings of Barcelona's young star Lamine Yamal.

However, the collective earnings of the top ten have seen a slight decrease of nearly 4% from the previous year. This is largely due to the absence of Brazilian star Neymar, who dropped out of the rankings after terminating his high-value contract with Al Hilal and returning to his boyhood club in Brazil on a reduced salary.

Despite a busy summer transfer window, the top of the earnings list remains stable, with eight of the ten players staying with their current clubs.

Karim Benzema of Al Ittihad ranks third with $104 million, while Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé is fourth with an estimated $95 million.

Erling Haaland rounds out the top five highest-paid footballers, having secured a massive nine-and-a-half-year contract extension with Manchester City in January.

His dominant season, which saw him score 22 goals in 31 Premier League matches, has pushed his estimated salary and bonuses to $60 million for the 2025-26 season, complementing his $20 million in off-field earnings.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. makes his return to the list at number six with total expected earnings of $60 million. However, at 25, he is no longer the youngest player in the rankings.

That distinction now belongs to a new wave of talent, including his 22-year-old teammate Jude Bellingham, who sits at number nine with an estimated $44 million. Even younger is Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, the first 18-year-old to ever break into the top ten in the 22-year history of Forbes' soccer list.

The arrival of these two young stars gives Spain's La Liga the most representation in the rankings with four players. The Saudi Pro League is close behind with three, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Al Nassr's Sadio Mané (No. 8, $54 million).

The Premier League features two players, Haaland and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (No. 7, $55 million), while Lionel Messi remains the sole representative from Major League Soccer.

More significantly, the emergence of Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal signals a youth movement in global football. Half of the ten highest-paid players are now 29 or younger, the largest proportion since 2020.

This has brought the average age of the list down to just under 30, its lowest point in five years. While Ronaldo may still top the financial charts, a new generation of stars is clearly ready to take centre stage.

It is difficult to imagine Cristiano Ronaldo has any space left in his trophy cabinet, which already holds five Ballon d'Or awards, four UEFA Champions League titles, and numerous domestic league championships.

Yet, at 40, the superstar forward is still chasing two major milestones: his 1,000th career goal, a target now just 52 goals away, and a World Cup victory with Portugal at the 2026 tournament.

Off the pitch, Ronaldo's CR7 brand continues to expand with hotels, gyms, and watches, while his digital presence is unparalleled. According to marketing agency Two Circles, he boasts nearly 1.04 billion followers across all platforms, more than any other person on the planet.

After a year of speculation, Lionel Messi appears set to extend his stay with Inter Miami. Reports last month suggested the 38-year-old forward is close to finalising a multi-year contract extension, which would fulfil owner Jorge Mas's prediction of his star returning in 2026.

The football world also awaits Messi's decision on whether he will attempt a record-setting sixth World Cup appearance with Argentina next summer. Away from the game, Messi's business portfolio continues to grow with endorsement deals from Adidas, Lay's, and Mastercard.

In 2024, he launched the sports drink Más+ by Messi and became a global partner and shareholder in the restaurant chain El Club de la Milanesa.

At 37, Karim Benzema is proving he still possesses the lethal touch that defined his 14 seasons at Real Madrid, having scored three goals in his first two games in the Saudi Pro League.

However, his future in the Middle East remains uncertain as his contract with Al Ittihad is set to expire at the end of the season. This has fueled speculation of a potential return to Europe, possibly for a reunion with his former manager José Mourinho at Benfica.

While his social media following is smaller than that of Ronaldo or Messi, Benzema still commands an impressive 76 million followers on Instagram, where he promotes partners like Adidas and Assaf Perfumes.

Kylian Mbappé's debut season with Real Madrid ended in disappointment as his quest for a first Champions League title was cut short in the quarterfinals.

Adding to the sting, he had to watch his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, lift the coveted trophy. His relationship with PSG has soured further, with Mbappé suing the club for a reported $61 million in unpaid wages. He also filed, and later dropped, another lawsuit accusing the club of unfair treatment.

As the world's elite footballers battle for supremacy on the pitch, their influence and business acumen are growing just as rapidly off it. From strategic investments to lucrative endorsements, the sport's biggest names are building empires that extend far beyond the stadium.

While awaiting a significant courtroom decision, Kylian Mbappé is actively expanding his business interests. The French superstar has diversified his portfolio, acquiring a stake of over 10% in German electronics firm Loewe and an 80% share in the French second-division club, Stade Malherbe Caen.

Through his firm, Coalition Capital, Mbappé has also recently invested in the luxury watch marketplace Wristcheck and the France SailGP Team, showcasing a keen eye for diverse opportunities.

Erling Haaland continues his phenomenal run at Manchester City, kicking off the season with 12 goals in nine matches and earning the Premier League's Player of the Month award for September.

The 25-year-old Norwegian is on track to smash records, poised to become the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals, a milestone Alan Shearer achieved in 124 games.

Off the field, Haaland boasts a major endorsement deal with Nike and collaborates with Norwegian brands like Bama Gruppen and the seafood initiative Godfisk. This year, he also became an equity partner in the Scandinavian luggage brand Db, which is backed by luxury giant LVMH.

Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior has become a commercial powerhouse, securing nearly a dozen sponsorships with global brands such as Nike, Hugo Boss, and Prada Eyewear. On the pitch, his record is formidable, with 110 goals and 79 assists in 330 appearances.

Despite a strong start to the season and finishing as the Ballon d'Or runner-up just a year ago, a perceived dip in form has fueled speculation about his future.

Although contracted with Madrid until 2027, recent reports suggest a potential summer transfer, with the Saudi Pro League mentioned as a possible destination.

Dispelling rumours of an exit, Mohamed Salah committed his future to Liverpool in April by signing a two-year extension that will keep him at Anfield until 2027. Shortly after, he celebrated his second Premier League title with the club he has called home since 2017.

This season, the Reds remain in championship contention, trailing leaders Arsenal by a single point. Salah also recently secured Egypt's place at the 2026 World Cup, scoring both goals in a decisive qualifying victory over Djibouti. This will mark Egypt's second World Cup appearance during his career.

Sadio Mané's contract with Al Nassr expires at the end of this season, but the 33-year-old winger has made his intentions clear.

When asked about his future, he simply replied in Arabic, "inshallah" (God willing), signalling his desire to stay in the Middle East.

Mané and Al Nassr are strong contenders for the Saudi Pro League title, having won their first four domestic matches.

The club has successfully retained key players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo Brozović while adding Portuguese talent João Félix. Off the pitch, Mané maintains a long-standing partnership with New Balance.

Jude Bellingham's move to Real Madrid two years ago, one of the most expensive in history at nearly $140 million, proved to be an instant success. The English midfielder was instrumental in the club's 2023-24 Champions League and La Liga victories.

He was also named England's Player of the Year for 2024-25, though he missed recent World Cup qualifiers while recovering from shoulder surgery.

Beyond football, Bellingham is a vocal advocate for mental health and works with brands like Adidas and Lucozade.

Since bursting onto the scene with Barcelona as a 15-year-old in 2023, Lamine Yamal has already helped Spain win Euro 2024 and led his club to a La Liga title.

Recognising his immense talent, Barcelona secured the young winger with a contract until 2031 and honoured him with the iconic No. 10 shirt, previously worn by legends like Lionel Messi.

Yamal is also making waves commercially, adding Beats by Dre to his sponsorship portfolio that includes Adidas and Powerade. He has even trademarked his "304" goal celebration, signalling his ambition to build a personal brand.