Who Tops the List of the World’s Highest-Paid Footballers in 2024?
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again cemented his status as football’s ultimate money magnet, signing a fresh deal with Al Nassr that keeps him firmly at the top of the highest-earning footballers list. Joining him in the elite top 10 are Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, while Lionel Messi and Neymar surprisingly miss the cut. This ranking, based solely on weekly wages (excluding bonuses), offers a fascinating glimpse into the financial powerhouses of modern football.
10. Mohamed Salah – £400,000 per week
Liverpool’s Egyptian king, Mohamed Salah, silenced speculation about his future by inking a lucrative £400k-a-week contract extension last April. Since then, he’s continued to deliver, netting two goals and an assist in seven Premier League appearances. Salah’s consistency and brilliance remain unmatched.
9. Ivan Toney – £414,006 per week
Brentford’s former star, Ivan Toney, now stands as England’s highest-paid footballer. After a high-profile move last summer, Toney’s dreams of Arsenal or Real Madrid landed him in the financially tempting Saudi Arabia, where he’s raking in a staggering £414k weekly.
8. Kylian Mbappe – £507,161 per week
Real Madrid’s crown jewel, Kylian Mbappe, not only earns a hefty £507k weekly but reportedly adds another £600k in bonuses. His strategic contract play—letting it run down to secure a massive salary and signing-on bonus—proves he’s as sharp off the pitch as he is on it.
7. Erling Haaland – £525,000 per week
Manchester City’s goal-scoring machine, Erling Haaland, boasts the Premier League’s most lucrative contract. With a jaw-dropping nine-year extension confirmed in January 2025, the Nordic robot is set to dominate the league for years to come, earning £525k weekly.
6. Robert Lewandowski – £540,918 per week
Barcelona’s financial woes are a mystery when you consider the £540k weekly they’re shelling out for Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker’s paycheck is a testament to his enduring class, even as the club grapples with its economic challenges.
5. Kalidou Koulibaly – £563,152 per week
Kalidou Koulibaly’s inclusion in the top five might raise eyebrows, but his £563k weekly wage is more about geography than ability. After a forgettable stint at Chelsea, Saudi Arabia’s intervention rescued the Senegalese defender, offering him a financial lifeline.
4. Sadio Mane – £649,166 per week
Liverpool legend Sadio Mane joined the Saudi Pro League exodus in 2023, becoming one of its most high-profile signings. With a weekly wage of £649k, Mane is living proof that the Middle East’s football revolution is in full swing.
3. Riyad Mahrez – £847,162 per week
Leicester City’s title hero, Riyad Mahrez, traded the Premier League for the riches of Saudi Arabia. His £847k weekly wage is a fitting reward for a player who has achieved it all in English football.
2. Karim Benzema – £1.59 million per week
In a move that sent shockwaves through the football world, Al Ittihad secured Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema with a mind-blowing £1.6m weekly wage. The Real Madrid legend’s arrival in Saudi Arabia is a monumental statement of intent.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – £3.4 million per week
Topping the list by a landslide, Cristiano Ronaldo’s £3.4m weekly wage is a testament to his enduring star power. Fresh off signing a two-year extension with Al Nassr, the 39-year-old continues to defy age, scoring goals and entertaining fans with his trademark antics.
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