October 15, (THEWILL) – Footballers today earn astronomical figures that would make even the most free-spending owners of the past baulk.
While Serie A was once home to the world’s highest salaries, the English Premier League and Middle East have become the dominant forces. A glance at the top ten best-paid players illustrates the seismic financial shift.
Several stars have opted for lucrative moves to Saudi Arabia’s revamped league, with Africa’s best player, Sadio Mane, one of the latest to make the switch from European giants Bayern Munich to Al Nassr. Meanwhile, EPL winners Manchester City boast the division’s two top earners in Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.
The rise of the Saudi Pro League has enticed players not only with mammoth salaries unavailable in Europe but also minimal tax obligations. Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo both chose Al Nassr and Al Hilal respectively over staying with former and interested clubs in Europe.
Yet the Middle East cannot poach every star. Mohamed Salah rejected Saudi interest to remain Liverpool’s highest earner ever, while Kylian Mbappe penned a new blockbuster deal with Paris Saint-Germain in 2022. For the elite few, European success still outweighs even the most astronomical sums.
The full list and their earnings include:
10. Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
Salary earnings: £21.5m
Off-field earnings: £8.2m
Total: £29.7m
9. Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City
Salary earnings: £28.9m
Off-field earnings: £3.3m
Total: £32.2m
8. Sadio Mane – Al Nassr
Salary earnings: £39.6m
Off-field earnings: £3.3m
Total: £42.9m
7. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Salary earnings: £28.9m
Off-field earnings: £14.8m
Total: £43.7m
6. Erling Haaland – Manchester City
Salary earnings: £37.9m
Off-field earnings: £9.9m
Total: £47.8m
5. Karim Benzema – Al Ittihad
Salary earnings: £82.5m
Off-field earnings: £4.9m
Total: £87.4m
4. Kylian Mbappe – Paris Saint-Germain
Salary earnings: £74.2m
Off-field earnings: £16.5m
Total: £90.7m
3. Neymar – Al Hilal
Salary earnings: £66.0m
Off-field earnings: £26.4m
Total: £92.4m
2. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami
Salary earnings: £53.6m
Off-field earnings: £57.8m
Total: £111.4m
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – Al Nassr
Salary earnings: £165.0m
Off-field earnings: £49.5m
Total: £214.5m
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
