The Uncomfortable Truth About Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabia Salary
Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to join the Saudi Professional League in January 2023 sent shockwaves through the football world. The Portuguese superstar’s move to Al Nassr was seen as a major coup for the league, and his massive salary is just one example of the financial might of Saudi Arabian clubs.
According to recent reports, Ronaldo’s gross salary in Saudi Arabia is a staggering €200 million per year. That’s double the salary of his closest rivals, Karim Benzema and Neymar, who are reportedly on €100 million per annum. The Portuguese’s enormous wage is a reflection of the incredible financial power of Saudi Arabian clubs, who are willing to spend big to lure the biggest names in football to their league.
So, who else makes the list of top 10 highest-earning players in the Saudi Professional League? Former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Benzema is second on the list, followed closely by Neymar. Other notable names include former Premier League stars Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, Aymeric Laporte, Aleksandar Mitrovic, and N’Golo Kante.
Here’s the full list of top 10 highest-earning players in the Saudi Professional League:
- Cristiano Ronaldo – Al Nassr – €200 million
- Karim Benzema – Al Ittihad – €100 million
- Neymar – Al Hilal – €100 million
- Riyad Mahrez – €52.5 million
- Sadio Mane – Al Nassr – €40 million
- Kalidou Koulibaly – Al Hilal – €34.7 million
- Aleksandar Mitrovic – Al Hilal – €25 million
- Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – Al Hilal – €25 million
- N’Golo Kante – Al Ittihad – €25 million
- Aymeric Laporte – Al Nassr – €24.5 million
It’s no secret that Saudi Arabian clubs have been splashing the cash in an attempt to lure top talent from Europe. This summer, the likes of Casemiro, Ederson, Alisson Becker, and Kevin De Bruyne have all been linked with a move to the Middle East. As the Saudi Professional League continues to grow in popularity, it’s likely that we’ll see even more big-name signings in the future.
So, what does this mean for the future of football? As the Saudi Professional League continues to attract the biggest names in the game, it’s likely that we’ll see a shift in the global football landscape. Will we see more top players opting for the financial security of the Middle East over the prestige of playing in Europe? Only time will tell.
Follow us on all social media platforms for more updates on the world of football!