European soccer

Europe’s highest-paid soccer players revealed: Mbappé, Vinicius and Haaland lead the way

PSG, Bayern Munich and the Premier League dominate spending, while Italy continues to scale back salaries across its top clubs.

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Andrés Onrubia Roddy Cons

Update: Apr 2nd, 2026 10:47 EDT

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As it does every year, French outlet L’Équipe has published its breakdown of player salaries across Ligue 1, along with the highest earners in Europe’s five major leagues. In France, Paris Saint-Germain once again steal the spotlight, with Ousmane Dembélé topping the list as the best-paid player in the league.

Ballon d’Or winner Dembélé earns a reported €1.5 million ($1.73 million) gross per month, with Marquinhos (€1.12 million/$1.29 million) and Achraf Hakimi (€1.1 million/$1.27 million) rounding out the top three. PSG’s overall wage bill has ticked up slightly compared to last season, rising from an average of about $647,000 ($746,000) per month to roughly €650,000 ($750,000) this year.

🚨 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡: Lamine Yamal's monthly salary is €1.33m, which is twice less than what Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior earn.

However, there are several bonuses linked to the number of matches played, goals, trophies and the Ballon d'Or. The salary could reach €10m with… pic.twitter.com/w3bpNiXFbv
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) April 2, 2026

Mbappé and Vinicius set the standard in Europe and LaLiga

Across Europe’s top five leagues, Kylian Mbappé sits at the summit. The French forward earns approximately €2.67 million ($3.08 million) gross per month, matching Vinicius Jr. Just behind them in Spain are David Alaba (€1.8 million/$2.08 million), Robert Lewandowski (€1.73 million/$2 million), and Jude Bellingham and Jan Oblak (both around €1.67 million/$1.93 million).

L’Équipe notes that these figures are estimates and should not be taken as exact, but they offer a clear picture of the financial hierarchy at the top of the sport.

Premier League’s highest earners

Mbappé and Vinicius stand above the rest, but the Premier League is not far behind. Erling Haaland is England’s top earner at roughly €2.63 million ($3.03 million) per month, followed by Mohamed Salah at €2 million ($2.31 million). Casemiro and Virgil van Dijk earn about €1.75 million ($2.02 million), while Bruno Fernandes and Bukayo Saka come in at €1.5 million ($1.73 million).

Bayern lead domestically in Germany

In Germany, Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala share top billing at around €2.1 million ($2.42 million) per month. Manuel Neuer follows at €1.75 million ($2.02 million), with Joshua Kimmich and Dayot Upamecano at approximately €1.66 million ($1.91 million). As in France, one club dominates, with Bayern Munich clearly leading the Bundesliga in wage spending.

Italy continues to tighten spending

In Italy, Dusan Vlahovic leads the way with a monthly salary of about €1.85 million ($2.13 million). Lautaro Martínez (€1.39 million/$1.6 million), Paulo Dybala (€1.08 million/$1.25 million), and Nicolò Barella (€1 million/$1.15 million) follow.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Jonathan David, and Kevin De Bruyne round out the top tier at roughly €930,000 ($1.07 million) per month. Serie A continues a multi-year trend of reducing payrolls across the league, largely driven by ongoing financial pressures.

PSG boss Luis Enrique has had enough with talking to Journalists 😅 🤬

🗣️ "If I had to sign a contract that would reduce 50% of my salary & I wouldn't have to attend press conferences anymore, I would sign it. When you sign a contract with a club, you are obliged to speak with… pic.twitter.com/Skhs39Anw3
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) September 27, 2024

Managers’ salaries reveal a similar hierarchy

L’Équipe also released salary estimates for top coaches across Europe. In France, Luis Enrique earns around €1 million ($1.15 million) per month, though a potential contract extension could push him into the top five globally, with reports suggesting a new deal worth €20 million ($23.07 million) annually.

In Spain, Diego Simeone leads the way at approximately €2.17 million ($2.5 million) per month. He is followed by Hansi Flick (€910,000/$1.05 million) and Álvaro Arbeloa (€500,000/$577,000).

Pep Guardiola tops the Premier League at €1.92 million ($2.21 million) per month, ahead of Mikel Arteta (€1.25 million/$1.44 million) and Unai Emery (€770,000/$888,000).

In Italy, Antonio Conte is the highest-paid manager at €1.3 million ($1.5 million) per month, surpassing Massimiliano Allegri and Gian Piero Gasperini, who each earn around €800,000 ($923,000).

Germany rounds out the list with Vincent Kompany at roughly €1 million ($1.15 million) per month, well ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s Niko Kovac, who earns about €330,000 ($381,000).