Ronaldo Reclaims Top Spot as Highest Paid Player in the World
It’s official: Cristiano Ronaldo has regained his crown as the highest paid player in the world, according to the latest report from Forbes. The 39-year-old Portuguese superstar raked in a whopping €263 million in 2024, thanks to his lucrative contract with Saudi club Al Nassr and a plethora of endorsement deals.
But how does the rest of the top 10 stack up? Let’s take a look:
The Top 10 Highest Paid Players in the World
Ronaldo’s staggering salary from Al Nassr, worth €203 million, is matched only by his off-field earnings, thanks to his social media presence and endorsement deals. Lionel Messi, who comes in second, boils down to a combination of his Inter Miami salary and endorsement deals, raking in €69 million in 2024.
The Saudi Effect
The presence of Saudi money in the sport is evident, with no less than four players on this list earning a paycheck from Middle Eastern clubs. Neymar, the Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, takes the third spot with a combined income of €101.2 million, courtesy of his high salary at Al Hilal. Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema overtook Kylian Mbappé, who sees his salary drop from PSG to Real Madrid, with the Frenchman earning €83 million in 2024.
The Full Top 10
To see the full list of the world’s highest paid players, check out our gallery.
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