Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been ranked as the highest-paid footballer in the world based on weekly base salary, while long-time rival Lionel Messi sits 13th in the latest global earnings rankings.
According to salary figures compiled by Capology and cited by Planet Football, Ronaldo earns an estimated £3.42 million per week at Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, placing him comfortably ahead of Karim Benzema, who reportedly earns £2.01 million per week at Al-Ittihad.
The latest rankings underline the growing financial strength of the Saudi Pro League, with six players from the league featuring among the world’s 15 highest-paid footballers.
“Cristiano Ronaldo still ranks as the highest-paid player in the Saudi Pro League and world football, earning a whopping £3.4 million per week with Al-Nassr,” the report stated.
Among players outside Saudi Arabia, Erling Haaland remains the Premier League’s highest-paid footballer, earning a reported £525,000 per week at Manchester City. Kylian Mbappé ranks sixth with a weekly salary of £512,992 at Real Madrid.
Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane are tied in ninth place, each earning £410,393 per week.
Lionel Messi, who was absent from the previous edition of the rankings, returns in 13th place following his move to Inter Miami, where he reportedly earns £360,876 per week in base salary.
Other notable players in the top 15 include Jamal Musiala, Darwin Núñez, Virgil van Dijk, and Rúben Neves.
The report noted that the figures represent estimated weekly base salaries only and do not include performance bonuses, signing-on fees, image rights, or commercial endorsement earnings…..See More
Top 15 Highest-Paid Footballers by Weekly Base Salary
- Cristiano Ronaldo — £3,421,039
- Karim Benzema — £2,010,107
- Sadio Mané — £656,629
- Kalidou Koulibaly — £569,626
- Erling Haaland — £525,000
- Kylian Mbappé — £512,992
- Sergej Milinković-Savić — £418,765
- Ivan Toney — £418,765
- Vinícius Júnior — £410,393
- Harry Kane — £410,393
- Jamal Musiala — £374,771
- Darwin Núñez — £368,533
- Lionel Messi — £360,876
- Virgil van Dijk — £350,000
- Rúben Neves — £343,417