JERSEY CITY, USA – Despite being in the twilight of their illustrious careers, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi continue to dominate football, not only with their skills but also with their earnings.
The two legends have topped Forbes’ latest list of the highest-paid football players, showcasing the enduring financial rewards of the sport for these iconic athletes.
At the age of 39, Cristiano Ronaldo claims the top spot, earning a staggering $285 million annually.
The majority of his income comes from his lucrative contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, where he takes home $220 million in wages.
The remaining $65 million comes from sponsorship deals and off-field earnings, cementing his status as the highest-paid footballer in the world.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, who recently made headlines with his move to Major League Soccer (MLS) to play for Inter Miami, ranks second on the list.
The Argentine superstar brings in a total of $135 million per year, with $60 million earned from his salary and $75 million from endorsements and commercial ventures.
Messi is the only player from the MLS to make it into Forbes’ top 10 list.
The list also features several players from Saudi Arabia’s Pro League, which has attracted some of the biggest names in football in recent years with its lucrative contracts.
Brazilian forward Neymar, who plays for Al-Hilal, ranks third with $110 million, while French striker Karim Benzema of Al-Ittihad follows closely with $104 million.
Al-Nassr’s Sadio Mane also makes the list, earning $52 million annually.
Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior represent La Liga on the list, with Mbappe earning $90 million and Vinicius pulling in $55 million.
These two are the only representatives from Spain’s top division in the top 10.
The English Premier League has its own heavyweights among the highest-paid players, with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland earning $60 million, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah bringing in $53 million, and Kevin De Bruyne rounding out the top 10 with $39 million.
The dominance of Saudi Arabian clubs in this year’s list highlights the growing influence of the Saudi Pro League in attracting global football stars with lucrative contracts, particularly as players move into the latter stages of their careers.
As football continues to evolve and grow as a global spectacle, Ronaldo and Messi remain at the forefront, earning massive sums and cementing their legacy as two of the greatest and highest-paid players in the history of the sport.
