Ronaldo Extends Dominance as Football’s Financial Powerhouse
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again reaffirmed his place at the top of global football’s financial pyramid, earning a staggering $280 million for the 2025–26 season, according to Forbes’ annual ranking of the world’s highest-paid footballers.
The 40-year-old Al Nassr forward, who recently became football’s first-ever billionaire, has now topped the list six times in the past decade. His enormous income includes $230 million in salary from the Saudi Pro League and an additional $50 million from endorsements with global giants like Nike, Binance, and Herbalife.
Ronaldo’s financial success continues to underline the growing power of the Saudi football revolution, as lucrative contracts in the Middle East reshape the sport’s economic landscape.
Messi Trails Behind With $130 Million in Total Earnings
Ronaldo’s longtime rival Lionel Messi takes the second spot on the Forbes list with $130 million, less than half of Ronaldo’s total. The Inter Miami superstar earns $60 million from his MLS contract and another $70 million through sponsorships and commercial partnerships.
Despite moving to the United States, Messi remains football’s most marketable player, maintaining deals with Adidas, Apple TV+, and Budweiser. His brand value in North America has surged since joining Major League Soccer, where he continues to draw record crowds and global attention.
Benzema, Mbappé, and Haaland Lead the Next Tier
In third place, Karim Benzema of Al Ittihad earns $104 million, thanks largely to his high-paying Saudi contract. His income demonstrates how Saudi Arabia’s aggressive investment in global football stars continues to alter traditional pay scales.
Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid ranks fourth with $95 million, reflecting both his elite performance levels and major sponsorships with Nike and Hublot. Following closely, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland secures the fifth spot at $82 million, bolstered by his $46 million salary and commercial deals with Puma and EA Sports.
Real Madrid Dominates the Top 10
Real Madrid stands out as the most represented club on the Forbes list, with three players in the top 10. Alongside Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior lands at sixth place with $60 million, while Jude Bellingham, at just 22 years old, ranks ninth with $44 million.
The Spanish giants continue to demonstrate their global commercial pull, as sponsorships and image rights add millions to players’ annual incomes.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Pro League matches Real Madrid’s representation, claiming three positions in the top 10 — Ronaldo, Benzema, and Sadio Mané. Mané ranks eighth with $54 million, earning nearly all of it from his contract with Al Nassr.
Lamine Yamal Makes History as Youngest Entrant
A major highlight of this year’s Forbes list is the inclusion of 18-year-old Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, who becomes the youngest player ever to appear in the rankings’ 22-year history.
Yamal’s total income of $43 million earns him the tenth spot, powered by an increasing number of brand endorsements. His deals include Beats by Dre, Adidas, Konami, and Powerade, positioning him as one of football’s fastest-rising commercial stars.
His entry marks a clear generational shift within football’s financial elite, signaling that the next wave of global icons is already taking shape.
Neymar’s Exit Impacts Total Earnings
A noticeable absence from the 2025 list is Neymar Jr., who dropped out following his contract termination with Al Hilal in January. The Brazilian forward returned to Santos FC, his boyhood club, with a drastically reduced salary.
His exit led to a 4% overall decline in the combined income of the top 10 players — from $983 million last year to $945 million in 2025. Despite this drop, the figures still represent one of the highest-earning years in football history.
Global Football Faces a Generational and Geographic Shift
Forbes noted that the average age of players on this year’s list has fallen below 30 for the first time in five years, highlighting a new era in football economics. Younger stars like Yamal and Bellingham are rapidly replacing long-time icons in terms of both on-field influence and off-field marketability.
At the same time, the Saudi Pro League’s financial power continues to challenge traditional European dominance, offering record-breaking contracts that lure top talent from established leagues.
The Business of Football Reaches New Heights
With Ronaldo’s $280 million topping the charts and Messi maintaining his global appeal, football’s financial frontier continues to expand beyond Europe. The emergence of younger stars and the influence of new markets like Saudi Arabia and the U.S. indicate a fundamental shift in the sport’s economic order.
For now, Cristiano Ronaldo remains football’s ultimate financial icon, a decade-long leader in earnings who shows no signs of slowing down — either on the field or in the bank.
