Athletes

The Highest-Paid Soccer Players in the World Right Now

Cristiano Ronaldo earns $205.4 million annually, making him the highest-paid soccer player in the world.
Only eight of the highest-paid soccer players are not forwards.

Jul 20, 2024 | 04:23 pm

UPDATED Jan 25, 2025 | 12:48 pm

Nov 28, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) celebrates his goal scored against Uruguay during the second half of the group stage match in the 2022 World Cup at Lusail Stadium. The goal would instead be credited to midfielder Bruno Fernandes (8). Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

Soccer means big business abroad, with Europe’s biggest leagues earning record-setting revenue numbers this past season.

MLS hopes to replicate Europe’s success someday, but it will take deep pockets to bring the best players to the States.

Cristiano Ronaldo towers above all others, earning $216.3 million as the highest-paid soccer player. He signed a deal with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr that expires in 2025 when he’ll be 40.

The ageless forward led Al Nassr to a Saudi Pro League title in his second season there, tallying 35 goals as the league’s top goalscorer.

A former Real Madrid teammate of Ronaldo and a former rival earn $108.2 million each to tie for second.

Karim Benzema signed with Al-Ittihad in 2023 after spending 10 seasons with Real Madrid. The French center-forward has already earned half of what he made playing in Spain in just one season in Saudi Arabia.

Neymar signed a 1-year deal with Al Hilal after playing with PSG for six years and Real Madrid arch-rivals Barcelona for four years. He’s made $531 million over his 11-year career, second only to Ronaldo in career earnings.

Two goalkeepers make the list of the highest-paid soccer players.

Manuel Neuer is the world’s highest-paid goalkeeper, earning $22.7 million with Bayern Munich. He signed a 1-year extension last November that runs through the end of the Bundesliga season in 2025.

Jan Oblak earns $22.5 million, right below Neuer to tie for 23rd. The Atletico Madrid keeper has played in the Spanish capital since 2014 and signed a four-year deal worth $90.1 million in 2022.

Kalidou Koulibaly is the highest-paid defender, earning $37.5 million with Al Hilal. He’s the only defender among the highest-paid soccer players earning over $30 million a season.

The former Chelsea defender signed for Al Hilal in 2023, securing a 47% pay increase from his time with the London club.

Ranking The Highest-Paid Soccer Players in the World

Here is the list of the top 25 highest-paid soccer players in the world. The list was compiled with data from Capology.

Updated: November 1st, 2024

Rank	Player	Position	Team	Total Compensation
1	Cristiano Ronaldo	Forward	Al Nassr	$205.4 million
T-2	Karim Benzema	Forward	Al-Ittihad	$102.7 million
T-2	Neymar	Forward	Al Hilal	$102.7 million
4	Riyad Mahrez	Forward	Al-Ahli	$53.6 million
5	Sadio Mane	Forward	Al Nassr	$41.1 million
6	Kalidou Koulibaly	Defender	Al Hilal	$35.6 million
7	Robert Lewandowski	Forward	Barcelona	$34.2 million
8	Erling Haaland	Forward	Manchester City	$33.2 million
9	Kylian Mbappe	Forward	Real Madrid	$32.1 million
10	Ivan Toney	Forward	Al-Ahli	$26.2 million
T-11	Sergei Milinkovic-Savic	Forward	Al Hilal	$25.7 million
T-11	Alexsandar Mitrovic	Forward	Al Hilal	$25.7 million
T-11	N’golo Kante	Midfielder	Al-Ittihad	$25.7 million
T-11	Harry Kane	Forward	Bayern Munich	$25.7 million
15	Kevin De Bruyne	Forward	Manchester City	$25.3 million
16	Aymeric Laporte	Defender	Al Nassr	$25.2 million
17	Marcelo Brozovic	Midfielder	Al Nassr	$24.9 million
18	David Alaba	Defender	Real Madrid	$23.1 million
19	Dusan Vlahovic	Forward	Juventus	$22.8 million
T-20	Casemiro	Midfielder	Manchester United	$22.1 million
T-20	Mohamed Salah	Forward	Liverpool	$22.1 million
22	Manuel Neuer	Goalkeeper	Bayern Munich	$21.6 million
T-23	Jan Oblak	Goalkeeper	Atletico Madrid	$21.4 million
T-23	Vinicius Junior	Forward	Real Madrid	$21.4 million
T-23	Jude Bellingham	Forward	Real Madrid	$21.4 million