Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in world (even if some people call it soccer – we'll forgive them).
It's estimated to reach more than 3.5 billion fans. Cricket is the only one that comes close with 2.5 billion.
With great popularity comes great salary. The numbers have hit surreal heights and the trend does not seem to be slowing down.
Let’s talk about the players who take the sweetest piece of pie. Here is the list of the highest paid football players on the planet in 2023.
Some of these names will undoubtedly surprise you, though…
Highest-paid footballers in the world 2025
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) - £173 million / year
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Over 20 years into his professional career, Ronaldo has become the first man to score in five World Cups. So perhaps it's no surprise he ranks near the top of the list of highest-paid football players in the world.
Back in the summer of 2021, he became the highest-paid player in the history of the English Premier League when he signed a two-year deal with his old club Manchester United. But we all know how that ended.
His recent move to Al Nassr – a result of him having “won everything in Europe" – sees the player earning a staggering $200 million a year making the five-time Ballon d’Or winner the highest-earning football player in the world.
It’s a move from the Portuguese pro that’s caused much debate, but one there’s no denying it’s one hell of a pay day.
2. Riyad Mahrez (Al Ahli) – £46 million / year
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Riyad Mahrez will always have a place in Premier League folklore as the star player of Leicester City's incredible 2016 Premier League triumph.
His subsequent move to Manchester City might have proved a little less romantic but we imagine the Algerian attacker doesn't care in the slightest when considering his trophy cabinet.
A move to Saudi Arabia and Al Ahli was the natural next step for a player who won it all in the English game.
3. Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad) – £44 million / year
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During their time at Real Madrid, Karim Benzema inevitably played in the shadow of Ronaldo – and although the pair ply their trade for different clubs in Saudi Arabia, the Portuguese legend still has the edge on salary – just.
On the pitch, Benzema might prove more successful – not only is the French striker three years younger than Ronaldo, his club Al-Ittihad are the current champions of Saudi Arabia. Indeed Al-Ittihad are widely considered the most successful team in Saudi history.
The addition of the brilliant Benzema should make them favourites to retain the title next season. Al-Ittihad are paying Benzema £85 million a year so the club will expect results.
4. Sadio Mané (Al Nassr) – £35 million / year
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Like Mahrez, Sadio Mané is a thrilling forward who flourished at a smaller Premier League club, moved to a giant and won every trophy going before decamping to Saudi Arabia in 2023.
For Mané the relevant journey went Southhampton to Liverpool to Al Nassr where he links up with Ronaldo in a strike partnership that would have been the world's greatest five years earlier.
The Senegalese striker will always have the affection of Liverpool fans for his role in their Premier League and Champion League triumphs alongside Mo Salah and Robert Firmino.
5. Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal) – £30 million / year
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Yes, we're still in Saudi Arabia. Senegalese centre back Kalidou Koulibaly moved from Chelsea to Al Hilal in 2023 and will pick up a handy £30m a year for his services.
Koulibaly never really got going at Stamford Bridge after a brilliant eight year stint at Naples. (He's far from the only Chelsea flop in recent times.)
Still in his early 30s, the defender might have more to offer at the highest level but you can't blame Koulibaly for getting that paycheck before his retirement.
6. KYLIAN MBAPPE (Real Madrid) - £28 million / year
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One of the world's best footballers, Kylian Mbappe actually took a wage cut to leave PSG for Real Madrid. His currently salary of £28m per annum is still pretty punchy mind.
His link up with Jude Bellingham is the stuff of football fantasy. With Madrid serial Champions League winners, you have to assume Mbappe will finally claim one of the few trophies lacking in his cabinet over the coming years.
Whatever happens, it should be box office. Madrid and Mbappe could be nothing else!
7. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – £27 million / year
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Manchester City’s big signing has lived up to his high expectations after penning a huge deal.
His arrival in 2022 wasn't Haaland’s first taste of Manchester life, as his father played for the Citizens in the early 2000s, a time that spawned a now-famous picture of a young Haaland Jr in a City shirt.
Erling Haaland scored 25 goals in his first 19 Premier League appearances – a staggering record for the game’s next global superstar. He became the fastest player to reach 100 goals, taking a mere 111 matches.
8. Sergej Milinković-Savić (Al Hilal) – £22.5m / year
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A surprise entry on this list but thus the drawing power of Saudi Arabia.
Serbian midfield Milinković-Savić had a fine career for Lazio but left the Italian giant aged 28 in a €40m move to the free-spending Al Hilal.
He's already swelled his trophy cabinet and his bank account so mission accomplished.
9. Ivan Toney (Al Ahli) – £22.5m / year
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Eyebrows were raised when Toney left Brentford for Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2024.
The free-scoring striker is a potent threat in the prime of his career and surely other Premier League teams would have happily found a home for him.
However none of them would have paid Toney more than a yearly salary of more than £22m. Which may explain his decision making.
10. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – £22 million / year
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One of English football's most enduring partnerships ended when homegrown striker Harry Kane left Tottenham Hotspur for German giants Bayern Munich.
Despite becoming Tottenham's record goalscorer, Kane was unable to win a trophy at his boyhood club and so departed for Germany in 2023.
He won the 2024 Bundesliga to finally put something in his trophy cabinet. Now for England glory, Harry.
11. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) – £22 million / year
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Young Brazilian striker Vinícius Júnior has emerged as one of the hottest properties in world in recent years, already winning multiple La Ligas and the Champions Leagues.
Naturally his salary matches his ability, even if the arrival of Mbappe means Vinícius plays a supporting role in the Madrid attack.
Keep racking up the trophies and we doubt he'll care too much. The pay packet can't hurt, either.
12. N'Golo Kante (Al Ittihad) – £22 million / year
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Few had heard of N'Golo Kante when the French defensive midfielder signed with Leicester City in 2015. That soon changed with Kante one of the key players in the most remarkable title win of modern times.
A big money move to Chelsea followed, with Kante picking up another Premier League title and the Champions League in 2021. He also won the World Cup with France in 2018. Not bad going.
Now in his 30s, Kante is another player to make big bucks in Saudia Arabia – joining up with his fellow Frenchman Benzema at Al-Ittihad. Expect more trophies to follow for the little fellow with a big heart – and a bank balance swelled to the tune of £21m a year.
13. Marcelo Brozović (Al Nassr) - £21 million / year
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What do you mean, 'who'?
Croatian defender Brozović was an Inter Milan stalwart for eight years before moving to Al Nassr in 2023.
Did Brozović ever imagine he'd end up as one of the world's best paid players? Well, congrats Marcelo – you proved everyone wrong.
14. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - £21 million / year
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Nothing else than an icon of Anfield, Egyptian striker Salah has scored more than 300 goals and won every trophy going during a glittering Liverpool career.
Saudi clubs attempted to lure him in the summer of 2024 but a bumper new contract locked Salah down.
He's definitely approaching the end of his time at Liverpool but what a time it's been!
15. Darwin Nunez (Al Hilal) – £20 million / year
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A former teammate of Salah at Liverpool, Uruguayan striker Nunez became something of a cult figure at Anfield.
His work rate couldn't be falted but his finishing left much to be desired. There was sadness but understanding when he shipped off to Saudia Arabia.
He may no longer be playing in the Premier League but we imagine the pay packet eases the pain.
Check out our list of the highest-paid female football players.
