• Loading stock data...
Monday, July 7, 2025

The Highest-Paid Soccer Midfielders

  • Five midfielders are earning over $20 million.
  • Nine players from the Saudi Pro League are among the highest-paid soccer midfielders.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Soccer continues to be the most popular sport worldwide and grabs attention wherever the top clubs play.

Midfielders hold immense value in the outcome of each match and clubs pay them high fees for their services. The highest-paid soccer midfielders command salaries over $20 million a year.

Two players are tied for first at $26.9 million a year. N’Golo Kanté of Al-Ittihad and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic of Al Hilal lead the way among midfielders.

Kanté signed with Al-Ittihad in 2023 after a career mostly in England’s Premier League. He was an integral part of an underdog Leicester City squad that made history by winning the Premier League in 2015-2016.

Milinkovic-Savic has been productive playing mainly in Italy before his move to Saudi Arabia. His 134 total goals and assists in his career is fourth-most among the top 10 highest-paid midfielders. 

Third is Marcelo Brozovic of Al Nassr earning $26.1 million. The Croatian midfielder spent his entire career in Italy playing for Inter Milan before signing with the Saudi Arabian side in 2023.

Fourth on the list is Manchester United’s Casemiro. He signed a two-year, $47.2 million contract in 2022. The 32-year-old has earned over $94 million in his career mostly with Real Madrid.

Rounding out the top five is Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich. Kimmich earns $21 million, one of six midfielders earning over $20 million. He’s won nine trophies, including the 2020 Champions League.

The Saudi Pro League is the league paying the most for midfielders. Five of the top 10 highest-paid soccer midfielders play in Saudi Arabia.

Ranking The Highest-Paid Midfielders in Soccer

Here is the entire list of highest-paid soccer midfielders of 2024. The list was compiled with data from Capology.

  • Updated: December 6, 2024
RankPlayerTeamTotal Compensation
T-1N’Golo KantéAl-Ittihad$26.9 million
T-1Sergej Milinkovic-SavicAl Hilal$26.9 million
3Marcelo BrozovicAl Nassr$26.1 million
4CasemiroManchester United$23.6 million
5Joshua KimmichBayern Munich$21 million
7Frenkie De JongBarcelona$20.5 million
8Rúben NevesAl Hilal$18.6 million
9Federico ValverdeReal Madrid$17.96 million
10Seko FofanaAl-Ettifaq$16.4 million
11Declan RiceArsenal$16.18 million
12Georginio WijnaldumAl-Ettifaq$16.16 million
13İlkay GündoğanManchester City$15.5 million
T-14FabinhoAl-Ittihad$15.1 million
T-14Franck KessiéAl-Ahli$15.1 million
16RodriManchester City$14.8 million
17Leon GoretzkaBayern Munich$14 million
18Thomas ParteyArsenal$13.5 million
T-19Aurélien TchouaméniReal Madrid$13.47 million
T-19Eduardo CamavingaReal Madrid$13.47 million
21Nicolò BarellaInter Milan$12.97 million
22Gabri VeigaAl-Ahli$12.93 million
23Enzo FernándezChelsea$12.1 million
24Hakan ÇalhanoğluInter Milan$11.97 million
T-25Luka ModricReal Madrid$11.2 million
T-25Dani CeballosReal Madrid$11.2 million

Related lists:

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Liverpool to Pay Diogo Jota’s $20M Contract to His Widow

Jota had two years remaining on his contract.

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.

As NBA Free Agency Quiets, Focus Shifts to Potential Extensions

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed a four-year, $285 million extension.
Manchester City

Manchester City Pockets $50 Million for Early Club World Cup Elimination

Saudi side Al-Hilal will bank at least $35 million in its quarterfinal run.

Featured Today

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
June 29, 2025

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.

WNBA All-Stars Will Earn $2,575 for Playing in Game

The WNBPA is in the midst of negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement
exclusive
July 2, 2025

WNBA Players Reject League’s First CBA Offer

Players felt the initial proposal wasn’t “entirely responsive” to their request.
July 6, 2025

Unrivaled Co-Founders Deny Conflict of Interest With WNBPA Leadership

The WNBA and its union are negotiating a new CBA.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Nike banners featuring Caitlin Clark are installed along the eastern side of Des Moines' Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.
July 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark’s Signature Shoe Could Be $100 Million Business: Sneaker Expert

Clark’s shoe could rival top NBA signature lines.
Nov 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates a shot in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
July 1, 2025

Malik Beasley’s Messy Offseason Includes $2.25M Suit From Ex-Agency

The former Pistons player is not having a good summer.
July 1, 2025

Gauff, Pegula Out at Wimbledon in Nightmare Start for American Women, ESPN

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula were ranked Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, entering Wimbledon.
Dewanna Bonner
exclusive
July 1, 2025

WNBA Cutdown Deadline Could Spur Deals for DeWanna Bonner, Emma Meesseman

The two big-name free agents could find their WNBA homes in July.