The World’s Highest‑Paid Soccer Players in 2025 | Salaries, Endorsements & Earnings Breakdown

A new era in global soccer economics has firmly taken hold. In 2025, elite footballers continue to shatter financial records both on and off the pitch, making the sport as lucrative commercially as ever. From massive club salaries in top leagues to global brand endorsement deals worth millions, the highest‑paid soccer players in the world represent a remarkable blend of sporting excellence and market influence.

This comprehensive guide covers:

• The 2025 top 10 highest‑paid soccer stars
• How earnings are calculated
• Trends reshaping soccer pay
• What this means for the sport’s future

Introduction: What Defines “Highest Paid”?

When we talk about the “highest‑paid soccer players,” we’re not just looking at club salaries. Modern earnings include:

✔ On‑field earnings — salaries, bonuses, performance incentives
✔ Off‑field income — endorsement deals, media ventures, businesses
✔ Total projected yearly earnings — the sum of all revenue streams

Forbes, the authoritative source on athlete earnings, calculates estimates using public data, sponsorship disclosures, and projected contract values.

1️⃣ Cristiano Ronaldo — $280 Million

Club: Al‑Nassr (Saudi Pro League)
Total Estimated Earnings: ~$280 million (2025)

Topping the list for 2025 is Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to redefine longevity and financial success in soccer. At age 40, the Portuguese superstar’s total income dwarfs that of most other athletes worldwide.

Salary Breakdown

• Massive Saudi Pro League contract with Al‑Nassr
• Includes salary, performance bonuses, and signing incentives
• A portion of his income also comes from business ventures under his CR7 brand umbrella, which spans hotels, fitness products, watches, and digital content.

Ronaldo’s influence extends beyond statistics — his global fanbase drastically boosts sponsorship value, and his established commercial empire generates recurring revenue.

2️⃣ Lionel Messi — $130 Million

Club: Inter Miami (MLS)
Total Estimated Earnings: ~$130 million

A perennial figure in football’s elite earning circle, Lionel Messi sits a distant second to Ronaldo but remains a powerhouse in both salary and endorsements.

Why Messi Still Earns Big

• A major MLS contract with Inter Miami — one of the most lucrative in U.S. soccer history
• Worldwide endorsement deals with brands like Adidas and Mastercard
• Off‑field investments including hospitality and lifestyle ventures

Messi’s earnings exemplify how global appeal + strategic commercialization can secure elite status even outside Europe’s traditional powerhouse leagues.

3️⃣ Karim Benzema — $104 Million

Club: Al‑Ittihad (Saudi Pro League)
Total Estimated Earnings: ~$104 million

The French striker has maintained his place in the upper echelons of football wealth, thanks to his move from Europe’s top leagues to Saudi Arabia’s booming Pro League.

Key Earnings Factors

• A blockbuster contract with Al‑Ittihad
• Brand deals and sponsorship money
• Continued commercial visibility

Benzema’s continued presence in the list underscores how the Saudi Pro League has reshaped global football compensation.

4️⃣ Kylian Mbappé — $95 Million

Club: Real Madrid (La Liga)
Total Estimated Earnings: ~$95 million

Still only in his mid‑20s, Kylian Mbappé showcases the earning power of elite performance at a top European club.

Why Mbappé Earns Big

• Huge salary at Real Madrid
• Multiple endorsement deals
• Massive global brand following

Mbappé’s earnings illustrate a new generation of football stars who combine elite sporting performance with commercial appeal.

5️⃣ Erling Haaland — $80 Million

Club: Manchester City (Premier League)
Total Estimated Earnings: ~$80 million

Manchester City’s goal machine continues to be one of world football’s most productive — both in goals and in earnings.

Sources of Income

• Premier League salary
• Endorsement portfolio
• Bonuses tied to performance and achievements

Despite fierce competition for headlines, Haaland remains a marketable figure thanks to his scoring prowess.

6️⃣ Vinícius Jr. — $60 Million

Club: Real Madrid (La Liga)
Total Estimated Earnings: ~$60 million

Brazilian winger Vinícius Jr. continues to be one of the fastest‑rising stars in global soccer — both in value and earnings.

Vinícius’s contract and brand deals reflect his status as both a club and commercial asset.

7️⃣ Mohamed Salah — $55 Million

Club: Liverpool (Premier League)
Total Estimated Earnings: ~$55 million

Mohamed Salah combines Premier League consistency with significant off‑pitch brand recognition — a reason he remains among the top earners globally.

8️⃣ Sadio Mané — $54 Million

Club: Al‑Nassr (Saudi Pro League)
Total Estimated Earnings: ~$54 million

One of the standout African football exports, Sadio Mané benefits enormously from his Saudi contract and commercial endorsements.

9️⃣ Jude Bellingham — $44 Million

Club: Real Madrid (La Liga)
Total Estimated Earnings: ~$44 million

A young midfield phenom, Jude Bellingham is a poster child for the sport’s youth movement — proving that elite compensation is no longer reserved for veterans alone.

🔟 Lamine Yamal — $43 Million

Club: FC Barcelona (La Liga)
Total Estimated Earnings: ~$43 million

At just 18, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal becomes the youngest player ever to crack the Forbes top 10 — a remarkable achievement that highlights both talent and commercial demand.

Yamal’s rise is fueled by:

• Breakout performance on the pitch
• Record‑breaking sponsorship deals
• A long‑term contract with one of football’s most iconic clubs

Key Trends Behind 2025 Earnings

1. Saudi Pro League’s Financial Influence

The Saudi Pro League’s aggressive investment strategy has transformed global salary standards, attracting stars like Ronaldo, Benzema, and Mané with record deals.

This shift has created new competitive dynamics outside traditional European leagues.

2. Strategic Branding & Endorsements

From global apparel deals to multimedia ventures, elite players increasingly leverage their global profiles for off‑field income. Messi and Ronaldo, for example, earn millions annually from endorsements and branded ventures.

3. Youth Earning Power

Players like Yamal and Bellingham signal a generational shift — top young talent is now commanding extraordinary earnings earlier in their careers.

What This Means for Soccer’s Future

The 2025 earnings list reflects more than just player wealth — it reveals how football is evolving into a truly global economic force. As markets in the Middle East, MLS, and Asia expand, the financial landscape of the game will continue to shift.