The 10 Highest-Paid Soccer Players in the World for 2024 (2024)

After signing a five-year deal with Real Madrid worth €15 million ($16.2 million) a year after taxes with a reported €150m ($163 million) bonus, Kylian Mbappé is now the highest-paid soccer player in the world. The French sensation will bring in a combined $264 million between his on- and off-field earnings.

According to Forbes’ annual list of the world’s highest-paid soccer players, Cristiano Ronaldo is bringing in an astounding $260 million in earnings after his high-profile transfer to Saudi side Al Nassr.

As it did with LIV Golf, Saudi Arabia’s presence in the soccer world has skyrocketed earnings for the sport’s top-paid players.

The Saudi Pro League features four entries on the list — the most of any league — with Al Nassr notching the third spot in Neymar Jr. who is earning $112 million.

But it’s not all about Saudi Arabia’s money: Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami is also paying dividends, with his unique reported contract featuring lucrative stakes with Adidas and Apple. His list-leading $70 million in off-field earnings boosts him to the second spot with $135 million.

Big-spending Manchester City of the Premier League also retains a presence in the top 10, with stars Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne coming in at 6th and 9th, respectively.

FC Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski falls just outside the top 10 with $34 million in total earnings.

Overall, the top 10 players in the world are cumulatively making $1.15 billion — a 71% increase from 2022’s record of $652 million.

Here is the list of the top 10 highest-paid soccer players in the world, combining on- and off-field earnings based on Forbes’ projections.

  • Updated: June 4, 2024
RankPlayerClubOn-Field EarningsOff-Field EarningsTotal Earnings
1Kylian MbappéReal Madrid$244 million$20 million$264 million
2Cristiano RonaldoAl Nassr$200 million$60 million$260 million
3Lionel MessiInter Miami$65 million$70 million$135 million
4Neymar Jr.Al Hilal$80 million$32 million$112 million
5Karim BenzemaAl Ittihad$100 million$6 million$106 million
6Erling HaalandManchester City$46 million$12 million$58 million
7Mohamed SalahLiverpool$35 million$18 million$53 million
8Sadio ManéAl Nassr$48 million$4 million$52 million
9Kevin De BruyneManchester City$35 million$4 million$39 million
10Harry KaneBayern Munich$26 million$10 million$36 million
The 10 Highest-Paid Soccer Players in the World for 2024 (2024)

FAQs

Who is the highest paid soccer player in 2024? ›

Leading soccer players worldwide 2024, by annual earnings

Cristiano Ronaldo was the highest earning soccer player in the world in 2024, being paid around 260 million U.S. dollars a year. The bulk of this sum came from on-field income, such as salary and bonuses.

Who are the top 10 highest paid soccer players? ›

The 10 Highest-Paid Soccer Players in the World for 2023
RankPlayerTotal Earnings
1Cristiano Ronaldo$260 million
2Lionel Messi$135 million
3Neymar Jr.$112 million
4Kylian Mbappé$110 million
6 more rows
May 22, 2024

Who is the highest paid NFL player in 2024? ›

Ranking the NFL's Biggest Contracts for 2024
  • 1 / 25. 1) Joe Burrow (QB), Cincinnati Bengals - $55 million. ...
  • 6 / 25. 6) Kyler Murray (QB), Arizona Cardinals - $46.1 million. ...
  • 11 / 25. T-11) Matthew Stafford (QB), Los Angeles Rams - $40 million. ...
  • 16 / 25. 16) Justin Jefferson (WR), Minnesota Vikings - $35 million. ...
  • 21 / 25.

Who has the biggest contract in soccer? ›

Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid soccer player in the world with an estimated $260 million income in 2023. He returns to the top spot after being dethroned by Kylian Mbappé last year and had a four-year run from 2014-2017.

Who is the world's richest footballer in 2024? ›

1. Faiq Bolkiah | $20 billion
Net Worth$20 billion
TeamChonburi F.C., Thailand
Feb 27, 2024

How much is Ronaldo paid per week? ›

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner's contract runs until 2025 and is estimated to be worth £177m-a-year, including £62m for his football salary as well as commercial bonuses. Ronaldo is earning an astonishing £14.75m every month or £3.4m a week.

Is Messi a billionaire? ›

The entertainment and sports industries are generating more and more billionaires. Soccer stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both reached billionaire status for the first time, together with golfer Tiger Woods, the NBA's LeBron James, boxer Floyd Mayweather, and retired tennis player Roger Federer.

Who is richer, Messi or Ronaldo? ›

Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid footballer in the world in 2023, earning more than the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar during the past 12 months, according to Forbes. Ronaldo, who Forbes also ranks as the highest-paid athlete of any sport, topped the list with expected total earnings of $260 million.

Who is the richest soccer player? ›

Brunei prince Faiq Bolkiah tops the list, with Messi and Ronaldo following in. Faiq Bolkiah is a Bruneian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Chonburi F.C. in Thailand and the Brunei national team. Bolkiah is the richest footballer in the world, with an estimated net worth of $20 billion.

Who is the number one football player class of 2024? ›

RANKCHANGEPROSPECT
1-Jeremiah Smith
2-Dylan Raiola
35Ellis Robinson
415Ryan Williams
26 more rows

Who is the richest NFL player of all time? ›

Former National Football League (NFL) player and executive Jerry Richardson was the richest NFL player of all time as of January 2023, with a net worth of around two billion U.S. dollars.

Who is the richest quarterback? ›

Joe Burrow's $275 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals in the 11th hour before the 2023 season kickoff made him the fourth quarterback this past offseason to earn the title of the NFL highest-paid player.

Who makes the most money in soccer in 2024? ›

Here's a straightforward top 10 list of the highest-paid soccer players in 2024: Cristiano Ronaldo – Al Nassr – $260 million. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami – $135 million. Neymar Jr.

How rich is Mbappé? ›

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Mbappe's personal wealth totals $180 million. In 2022, Forbes declared Mbappe the highest-paid footballer in the world, his new deal with PSG earning him around $128m that year.

Who is the richest footballer of all time? ›

Faiq Bolkiah is not as famous as some of the world's best footballers, but he is the wealthiest. Bolkiah is the son of Jefri Bolkiah, the Prince of Brunei, who has an estimated net worth of $20 billion. This makes him the world's richest footballer by a wide margin.

Who is the highest-paid player in the NBA in 2024? ›

1. Steph Curry - Golden State Warriors.

How much does Ronaldo make a second? ›

Ronaldo's Al Nassr salary
Per year£173m
Per day£514k
Per hour£21,400
Per minute£357
Per second£6
2 more rows

How much does Mbappe make a year? ›

Mbappé, 25, will receive $16.2 million (EUR15 million) a year after taxes from Real Madrid over a five-year period, plus an additional estimated $163 million (EUR150 million) guaranteed signing bonus that is spread over the course of the contract, according to ESPN's Julien Laurens and Alex Kirkland.

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