Top 10 highest paid footballer in the world for 2024

Professional football is a lucrative business in 2024 and the 10 highest-paid players on the planet are raking in huge amounts of money both in terms of salary and sponsorship deals. The salaries of the world’s top soccer stars have increased exponentially in recent years, especially after giant multinationals, oligarchs and oil countries became club owners. Here Premiumsoccertips.net a look at the top 10 highest paid footballer in 2024.

Who’s the highest paid footballer?

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $260 million (₤204.9 million)

Since leaving Manchester United, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has been lured by the wealthy elite of Saudi Arabia. His significant role in Saudi Arabia’s football development project and his presence as a top player in attracting superstars to join the Saudi Pro League has earned Ronaldo substantial “rewards” in financial terms.

Cristiano Ronaldo - Highest paid footballer — Cristiano Ronaldo – Highest paid footballer

Not only has he helped promote Saudi Arabia through sports activities, but Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has also earned a considerable amount from posting on Instagram and endorsing Herbalife.

2. Lionel Messi – $135 million (₤106.4 million)

The World Cup champion is the only player on the list who earns more off the field than on it. Messi’s fanbase has extended to Florida, and David Beckham recognized that the Argentine would attract attention in the US. This led Beckham to bring Messi to Inter Miami to boost the development of the MLS.

Lionel Messi - Highest paid footballer — Lionel Messi – Highest paid footballer

Messi openly admitted to moving to a “lesser league,” but financially and in terms of status, it was a smart move for M10. According to The Athletic, Messi’s contract with Inter Miami also means he will receive revenue shares from Apple and Adidas. Moreover, Messi has earned a substantial amount from partnering with Apple TV, which released a documentary about him upon his joining Inter Miami.

3. Neymar – $112 million (₤88.2 million)

PSG once paid Neymar a very high salary, but the Brazilian superstar couldn’t fulfill his career entirely in the Ligue 1 champions. Many believe Neymar left Europe too early, squandering his talent. However, Neymar decided to follow Ronaldo’s path and is currently playing for Al Hilal.

Neymar - Highest paid footballer — Neymar – Highest paid footballer

Despite facing a serious injury and being sidelined for the entire season, Al Hilal is still leading the Saudi Pro League table. Off the pitch, Neymar has also partnered with brands like Puma, Konami, and Red Bull. More recently, the Brazilian forward announced a collaboration with the Portuguese horse breeding farm Team Campline.

4. Kylian Mbappe – $110 million (₤86.7 million)

When Kylian Mbappe extended his contract with PSG in 2022, he became the highest-earning player in Europe, with a massive bonus attached. Mbappe’s power also increased as PSG confirmed him as the spearhead of the club’s new project, placing great trust in his leadership and talent.

Kylian Mbappe - Highest paid footballer — Kylian Mbappe – Highest paid footballer

Off the field, Mbappe still maintains the most powerful position in French sports, with a huge influence on the fan community and sports culture of the nation. His brilliance shines not only in club football but also in the French national team, where he is one of the brightest stars and plays a crucial role in the team’s success.

5. Karim Benzema – $106 million (₤83.5 million)

French striker Benzema’s decision to leave Real Madrid for Saudi Arabia was truly shocking to the football world, but he’s one of many superstars unable to resist the allure of the Saudi Pro League. Benzema is currently wearing the jersey of Saudi champions, Al Ittihad. However, it seems he hasn’t met expectations, and there are reports suggesting he’s not satisfied staying at Al Ittihad.

Karim Benzema - Highest paid football players — Karim Benzema – Highest paid football players

Last June, Benzema shared his decision to move from Europe to Asia to play football: “That’s where I want to go, because what’s important to me is being in a Muslim country, where I feel everyone is like me. It will allow me to have a new life, and I’m eager to live there.” This statement shows that Benzema has made a considered decision and intends to change both his life and football career.

6. Erling Haaland – $58 million (₤45.7 million)

Haaland made a triumphant debut season with Manchester City, clinching a treble and breaking numerous goal-scoring records, reflecting in his salary. Though considered one of the two brightest superstars alongside Mbappe, Haaland still earns considerably less than PSG’s player.

Erling Haaland - Highest paid football players — Erling Haaland – Highest paid football players

Manchester City is prepared to renegotiate a new deal in hopes of keeping Haaland for the long term. Off the pitch, Haaland’s reputation continues to soar. The Norwegian player has signed a significant contract with Nike and appeared on the cover of the EA Sports FC 2024 video game, demonstrating his popularity and influence in both football and entertainment.

7. Mo Salah – $53 million (₤41.7 million)

Saudi Arabia was ready to shell out a huge sum to buy Mo Salah from Liverpool last summer. However, Salah ultimately decided to stay at The Kop for this season, but a move to the Middle East could happen in the coming years.

Mo Salah - Highest paid football players — Mo Salah – Highest paid football players

Salah is not only a stellar player but also an icon in the Muslim community. An advertising deal with Adidas is bringing in a substantial amount of money for him. He also frequently appears in prestigious magazines like GQ and Time, where they’ve named him one of the most influential people globally, proving his stature not only in football but also in contemporary society and culture.

8. Sadio Mane – $52 million (₤40.9 million)

Mane departed Bayern Munich to join Al Nassr to play alongside Ronaldo. Despite earning roughly a fifth of Ronaldo’s salary, the amount is enough to make him one of the highest-earning individuals worldwide in 2023. Two years prior, Mane also signed a long-term contract extension with New Balance.

Sadio Mane - Highest paid football players — Sadio Mane – Highest paid football players

The Senegalese star is not just a national team icon but also a symbol in his homeland. Mane is renowned for his philanthropic work, pouring substantial funds into improving infrastructure in his native Senegal, aiding the community, and contributing to the country’s development.

9. Kevin De Bruyne – $39 million (₤30.7 million)

As the best-performing team in the Premier League in recent years, Man City has paid Kevin De Bruyne a deserving salary for his shining performances. However, off the pitch, De Bruyne isn’t a major name attracting brands, so the majority of his income comes from his basic salary at Man City.

Kevin De Bruyne - Highest paid football players — Kevin De Bruyne – Highest paid football players

Last March, De Bruyne signed a partnership deal with McDonald’s, opening up new opportunities to enhance his image and create advertising projects beyond football. This shows De Bruyne’s initiative in seeking advertising opportunities to expand his influence and bolster income off the pitch.

10. Harry Kane – $36 million (₤28.3 million)

Kane decided to leave beloved Tottenham to pursue trophies by joining Bayern Munich last summer. With a reputation as one of the world’s top strikers, Kane has been paid a commensurate salary by the German club. A new four-year contract with Bayern Munich has been signed by Kane, making him one of the highest-earning players in the Bundesliga.

Harry Kane - Highest paid football players — Harry Kane – Highest paid football players

Kane has proven his worth to the investment Bayern Munich made in him by scoring crucial goals. Off the pitch, Kane has also signed a long-term partnership with Fanatics, becoming the first English athlete to exclusively partner with the brand. This not only demonstrates Kane’s popularity but also marks a significant step in building his personal brand beyond football.

Conclude

Above are the top 10 highest paid footballer in the world such as Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, Mbappe, Salah, Mane, De Bruyne and Kane, we see development not only in the field of sports but also in the field of business and society. The players are not only paid high salaries from clubs but also earn significant amounts of money from advertising contracts and commercial partners. They are not only representatives of football but also symbols of success and influence around the world. Hopefully, through this article, you have better understood the salary of your favorite players. Thank you for following our article!