MLS
Leo Messi, only MLS player in latest Forbes world’s highest paid footballer listing
Respected US business outlet Forbes has updated its listing of the top 10 highest-paid footballers in the world.
Renowned and respected business magazine Forbes has updated their list of the highest-paid players globally which reflects the start of the new 24-25 football season with a couple of familiar faces still dominating the higher ending of the list as both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi remain at the top in this category.
Al Nassr striker Ronaldo, who since his move to Saudi Arabia has practically ensured that he is the highest paid footballer with a salary that is difficult to match at least as far as the contracts stipulated with the club are concerned. The latest Forbes update gives the 39-year-old Portuguese an income figure of 220 million dollars plus another 65 million for sponsorships, thus leaving him with a total income of 285 million dollars.
In second place and the only MLS representative in the top 10 of the highest-paid footballers in the world is Lionel Messi. The captain and star of Inter Miami, who despite having a difficult year due to injuries, has already won his first title of the season with the Supporters Shield in US soccer and is now aiming for the MLS Cup.
Forbes claims that Messi earns a total of 60 million on the field, however, the majority of the Argentine’s income comes from off the field activity thanks to sponsorships and other commercial agreements the Argentine has locked down since his arrival in the MLS.
Four of the players in the top ten play their league football with the top Saudi Arabian sides (Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Nassr) with Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané all gracing the top ten.
Three players (Haaland, Salah and De Bruyne) play their football in England with the final two players in the listing (Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé) are currently on the books of LaLiga side Real Madrid.
The 10 highest paid footballers in the world (Forbes)
1- Cristiano Ronaldo - Al Nassr - $285 million ($220 million on-field, $65 million off-field sponsorship)
2- Lionel Messi - Inter Miami - $135 million ($60 million on-field, $75 million off-field sponsorship)
3- Neymar - Al Hilal - $110 million ($80 million on-field, $30 million off-field sponsorship)
4- Karim Benzema - Al Ittihad - $104 million ($100 million on-field, $4 million off-field sponsorship)
5- Kylian Mbappé - Real Madrid - $90 million ($70 million on-field, $20 million from sponsorships)
6- Erling Haaland - Manchester City - $60 million ($46 million on-field, $14 million from sponsorships)
7- Vinicius Jr. - Real Madrid - $55 million ($40 million on-field, $15 million from sponsorships)
8- Mohamed Salah - Liverpool - $53 million ($35 million on-field, $18 million from sponsorships)
9- Sadio Mané - Al Nassr - $52 million ($48 million on-field, $4 million from sponsorships)
10- Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City - $39 million ($35 million on-field, $4 million off-field)
* Forbes methodology:
The Forbes ranking of the world’s highest-paid soccer players includes on-field earnings estimates for the 2024-25 season, including base salaries, bonuses and, in some cases, club-based image rights agreements.