For soccer’s top-performing clubs, record revenue numbers speak volumes to its continued global dominance. Goals draw in big crowds and forwards are paid to score them.
The highest-paid soccer forwards also rank among the highest-paid athletes in the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid soccer forward of 2024 by a long shot. Ronaldo rakes in an astounding $200 million a year for Al Nassr in Saudi’s Pro League. As one of the most recognizable faces in sports, Ronaldo earns another $60 million off the pitch in endorsements.
His achievements and earnings put him in a class by himself. Ronaldo’s 28 individual awards top all forwards. No other player on the list comes within $100 million of what Ronaldo brings in each year.
Second is Karim Benzema with his $100 million salary. Benzema also plays in Saudi’s Pro League for Al-Ittihad.
The Frenchman has won the Champions League with Real Madrid five times and won French Player of the Year four times.
Coming in third is Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. He brings home $44.2 million to play in England’s Premier League.
Haaland won a trio of awards in 2023 in his first year in the Premier League after scoring a record 36 goals.
Robert Lewandowski is fourth, earning $27.08 million with Barcelona. He signed a 3-year, $81.24 million contract in 2022. Lewandowski has been named The Best FIFA Men’s Player twice and has been named to UEFA’s Team of the Year twice.
Tied for fifth are Aleksandar Mitrovic of Al Hilal and Harry Kane of Bayern Munich. Both players earn $25 million including bonuses.
Mitrovic’s 200 career goals are enough to put him fifth among the top 10 highest earners. Kane scored 36 goals in his first season with Bayern Munich after spending his entire career in England.
Four out of the top 10 highest-paid soccer forwards play in Saudi’s Pro League. Bayern Munich is the only club with multiple forwards in the top 10.
Ranking The Highest-Paid Soccer Forwards
Here is the entire list of the highest-paid soccer forwards of 2024. The list was compiled with data from Capology.
- Updated: July 10, 2024
| Rank | Player | Career Goals | Team | Total Compensation |
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 547 | Al Nassr | $200 million |
| 2 | Karim Benzema | 290 | Al-Ittihad | $100 million |
| 3 | Erling Haaland | 156 | Manchester City | $44.2 million |
| 4 | Robert Lewandowski | 386 | Barcelona | $27.08 million |
| T-5 | Aleksandar Mitrovic | 200 | Al Hilal | $25 million |
| T-5 | Harry Kane | 263 | Bayern Munich | $25 million |
| 7 | Thomas Müller | 149 | Bayern Munich | $20.5 million |
| 8 | Roberto Firmino | 129 | Al-Ahli | $19 million |
| 9 | Victor Osimhen | 90 | Napoli | $15.38 million |
| 10 | Gabriel Jesus | 89 | Arsenal | $13.78 million |
| 11 | Álvaro Morata | 134 | Atletico Madrid | $13.54 million |
| 12 | Anthony Martial | 74 | Manchester United | $13 million |
| 13 | Dusan Vlahovic | 78 | Juventus | $12.96 million |
| 14 | Randal Kolo Muani | 43 | Paris Saint Germain | $12.73 million |
| 15 | Lionel Messi | 508 | Inter Miami | $12 million |
| T-16 | Lautaro Martínez | 125 | Inter Milan | $11.11 million |
| T-16 | Paulo Dybala | 128 | Roma | $11.11 million |
| 18 | Sébastien Haller | 122 | Dortmund | $11 million |
| 19 | Timo Werner | 115 | Tottenham | $10.4 million |
| 20 | Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting | 75 | Bayern Munich | $10 million |
| 21 | Romelu Lukaku | 223 | Roma | $8.97 million |
| 22 | Memphis Depay | 126 | Atletico Madrid | $8.75 million |
| 23 | Marcus Thuram | 60 | Inter Milan | $8.33 million |
| 24 | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | 236 | Marseille | $7.8 million |
| 25 | Patrik Schick | 76 | Bayer Leverkusen | $7.5 million |
| 26 | Ciro Immobile | 236 | Lazio | $7.41 million |
Related lists:
