Frightening amounts. In the space of one year, ten footballers have collectively earned nearly 945 million euros. These are the estimates of the American economic magazine Forbeswhich, like every year, revealed the ranking of the highest paid footballers in the world in 2025.
At the top of the table, no real surprises since Cristiano Ronaldo (40 years old) retains the lead, by far. The one who has just been declared the first football player in history to become a billionaire by Bloomberg was paid $280 million this year. It goes without saying that his salary of 200 million euros per year with Al-Nassr since 2023 has a lot to do with it.
The Portuguese is followed by another exile, this time in MLS, a certain Lionel Messi. At 38, the Inter Miami striker has earned $130 million, 60 of which comes from his salary, and 70 from his off-field contracts. This is evidenced by its numerous agreements with brands, such as Adidas, Lay's and Mastercard.
Two French people in 3rd and 4th places, Yamal in the top 10
In third place in this ranking with $104 million, another Saudi Pro League player, Karim Benzema. Unlike Messi, who earned more off the field than on the pitch, “KB9” generated almost all of his income using his contract with his club Al-Ittihad (100 million). It remains to be seen whether his emoluments will still be the same by 2026, the striker being at the end of his contract next June.
Just behind him is the first player in this top 10 playing in a European championship, Kylian Mbappé. Only nine million dollars separate the two compatriots. In addition to his footballer's hat, the captain of the French team also takes on that of majority shareholder of the Stade Malherbe in Caen. Finally, note the fifth place of Erling Haaland, the sixth of Vinicius Jr or the tenth place of Lamine Yamal and his 43 million dollars.
