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 2024
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. Neymar Jr (Al Hilal) - £86 million / year
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Neymar Jr's sensational transfer from PSG to Saudi Arabia side Al Hilal has made the Brazilian the highest paid footballer in the world – and by some margin.
His £86m salary doesn't take into account his commercial income, which will boost his annual earnings to staggering heights.
Plus Neymar will enjoy a host of benefits from his Saudi employers: including a fleet of supercars, a private jet, a mansion with its own swimming pool and we imagine a fairly relaxed approach to the Brazilian's famous party lifestyle.
His career may ultimately have been one of underachievement on the pitch but in terms of salary, Neymar is a history maker. Not only the highest paid footballer in the world but the highest paid footballer of all time.
3. Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad) – £85 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. Riyad Mahrez ( Al Ahli) – £45 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.
5. 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.
6. Oscar (Shanghai SIPG) – £30 million / year
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Eyebrows were raised when Oscar moved to China in 2016 with the peak of his career still to come.
However, it's been estimated that the Brazilian earned more than three times his salary at Shanghai than he would have done at the Blues.
Yes, he might have lost out on a more high-profile career but we imagine the private island he probably owns will ease the balm of missing out on the bigger trophy cabinet.
7. Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal) – £30 million / year
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Yes, we're back 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.
8. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) – £28 million / year
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After eight successful years at Bayern Munich, Lewandowski decided to explore new pastures in 2022.
The Polish striker joined Barcelona in a deal that made him the highest-paid footballer in La Liga.
Despite his advancing years, Lewandowski has continued to prove his worth, recently scoring 12 goals in 11 matches during his third season at the club.
9. KYLIAN MBAPPE (Real Madrid) - £26 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 £26m 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!
10. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – £21 million / year
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One of English football's most enduring partnerships ended when 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.
Whether he'll finally get his hands on some silverware remains to be seen but his odds have drastically improved. Now for England glory, Harry.
11. N'Golo Kante (Al Ittihad) – £21 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.
12. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - £20.8 million / year
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He is arguably the best player in the world right now, and that quality is reflected in a hefty wage packet.
The Belgian midfielder has put his signing on a renewed contract in the summer of 2021. He has put pen to paper to extend loyalty to Manchester City until 2025.
This luxury will cost the Citizens more than $24 million a year, though the exact figure is unknown – and you can be sure to add in a few mil in off-field earnings.
13. Aleksandar Mitrović – Al Hilal (£20 million)
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Premier League staple Aleksandar Mitrović transferred from Fulham to Saudi team Al Hilal in 2023. The transfer fee clocked in at £50 million, a record for the club at the time
Since his departure, he has helped Al Hilal stay on top of the Saudi Pro League along with the likes of Neymar Jr.
At £480,769 per week, Mitrović is one of the highest-paid athletes in the league.
14. Milinkovic Savić – Al Hilal (£20 million)
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Another European who jumped ship for the Saudi Pro League, Milinkovic Savic signed with Al Hilal last summer.
Savic left Lazio after 8 years, where he scored 69 goals and 59 assists for the Italian club.
The Serb found his new home in the Middle East and has enjoyed success since – winning the Saudi Pro League in the 2023/24 season.
15. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – £19.5 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
Check out our list of the highest-paid female football players.
