Cristiano Ronaldo Remains the Highest Paid Footballer in the World, But Who’s Giving Him a Run for His Money?
football fans, rejoice! As the world gears up for an exciting new season, the latest figures are in, and Cristiano Ronaldo remains the highest paid player in the world. But who’s hot on his heels?
According to a new report, CR7 topped the list with a staggering €263 million earnings in 2024. That’s €203 million from his salary at Saudi club Al Nassr, and a further €60 million from his growing presence on social media and lucrative sponsorship deals. It’s no surprise, really, given his massive following and recent success with his YouTube channel, which broke the record for the fastest channel to reach one million subscribers.
But what about the competition? Lionel Messi, the former Barcelona and current Inter Miami star, came in second, raking in €69 million from his sponsorship deals and €55.2 million from his salary. Interestingly, Messi’s off-field income outshone his on-field earnings, thanks to his array of endorsement deals.
The Saudi Arabian connection is crucial in this top 10. No fewer than four players earn their wages from clubs in the Middle East, including Neymar at Al Hilal, Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé, who swapped PSG for Real Madrid this summer. In fact, Benzema’s massive €96 million earnings placed him fourth on the list, edging out Mbappé, who took a pay cut to join the Spanish giants.
Check out our gallery to see the full top 10, and stay tuned for more updates!
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