Top 15 Highest-Paid Soccer Players 2025: Forbes Ranking of the Richest Footballers

From Saudi megadeals to Miami’s marketing machine, the highest-paid soccer players 2025 list shows how modern stars stack multiple income streams—monster club contracts plus global brand portfolios—to become the richest footballers 2025. This top-15 ranking highlights who leads top earning footballers 2025, how much they make, and which football salaries and endorsements 2025 are setting new records.

At a Glance

• Number one earner: Cristiano Ronaldo, $275 million. (Forbes)
• Top three: Ronaldo $275M, Lionel Messi $135M, Karim Benzema $104M. These are the only players at or above $100M in this cycle. (Forbes)
• Earnings window and method: Forbes tracks pre‑tax earnings from May 1, 2024 to May 1, 2025, including salaries, prize money and bonuses paid within the window, and excluding transfer fees and agent fees. (Forbes)
• Top‑15 totals (from the list below): $1.126B combined, $75.1M average, $54M median.
• Leagues represented: Saudi Pro League (Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al Ahli), MLS (Inter Miami), Premier League (Manchester City, Liverpool), LaLiga (Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid), Bundesliga (Bayern Munich).
• Tie cluster: $39M for Jude Bellingham, Kevin De Bruyne, and Harry Kane.
• Review cadence: Updated with Forbes’ 2025 numbers; reviewed quarterly or when Forbes publishes new figures.

Methodology

• We follow Forbes’ method: earnings are pre‑tax, include salaries, prize money and bonuses paid within May 1, 2024–May 1, 2025, and exclude transfer fees and agent fees.

15) Robert Lewandowski — $34M (FC Barcelona, LaLiga)

Barça’s No. 9 remains a sponsor magnet while commanding leading LaLiga wages. Longevity, scoring records, and brand professionalism keep him on the highest‑paid soccer players 2025 list.

• On‑field: high base with goal/trophy escalators
• Off‑field: apparel, beverages, and personal RL9 brand
• Enduring value: consistency across leagues and eras

14) Riyad Mahrez — $35M (Al‑Ahli, Saudi Pro League)

Mahrez’s Saudi package and MENA‑focused endorsements ensure a top‑15 berth among top earning footballers 2025. Title pedigree from England fuels trust and visibility.

• On‑field: lucrative Saudi wages and bonuses
• Off‑field: regional deals aligned to core fanbases
• Credibility: multiple league/UCL honors

13) Antoine Griezmann — $36M (Atlético Madrid, LaLiga)

A commercial mainstay, Griezmann couples a flagship Atleti contract with long‑standing partners, keeping him high on the richest footballers 2025 board despite a crowded LaLiga market.

• On‑field: high LaLiga salary and performance uplifts
• Off‑field: sport/fashion endorsements with global recall
• National‑team profile sustains ad demand

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12) Jude Bellingham — $39M (Real Madrid, LaLiga)

Bellingham’s breakout Madrid year translated straight into earnings, pulling him rapidly into highest‑paid soccer players 2025 territory. Club‑and‑country stardom has unlocked premium sponsors early.

• On‑field: Madrid base + trophy/appearance bonuses
• Off‑field: fast‑growing boot and lifestyle deals
• Momentum: awards + finals exposure = higher fees

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11) Kevin De Bruyne — $39M (Manchester City, Premier League)

City’s midfield fulcrum remains a sponsor‑safe, high‑CPM profile. Consistent excellence and leadership make him an advertiser’s dream in football salaries and endorsements 2025.

• On‑field: high eight‑figure salary and appearance bonuses
• Off‑field: food/tech/fitness partners, steady activations
• Reliability: elite output over many seasons

10) Harry Kane — $39M (Bayern Munich, Bundesliga)

A marquee Bayern package plus mainstream partners keep Kane inside the top earning footballers 2025 in Europe. Tournament halo and Bundesliga dominance elevate seasonal spikes in sales and search.

• On‑field: flagship striker salary + goal/trophy triggers
• Off‑field: footwear/lifestyle endorsements with broad appeal
• Visibility: league, UCL and England captaincy cycles

9) Mohamed Salah — $53M (Liverpool, Premier League)

Salah’s blend of Liverpool wages and global endorsements keeps him a perennial in richest footballers 2025 rankings. His mass appeal across Europe, Africa, and Asia ensures exceptional sponsor ROI.

• On‑field: top‑tier club pay with performance ladders
• Off‑field: sportswear, telecom, and beverage partners
• Reach: multi‑region fandom drives resilient demand

8) Sadio Mané — $54M (Al‑Nassr, Saudi Pro League)

Mané’s move to Saudi plus a trusted personal brand position him comfortably among highest‑paid soccer players 2025. His philanthropic reputation enhances sponsor alignment and long‑term goodwill. (Forbes)

• On‑field: high Saudi base with win/appearance bonuses
• Off‑field: athleticwear and regional partners in MENA
• Brand trust: community impact strengthens equity

7) Vinícius Júnior — $55M (Real Madrid, LaLiga)

A Champions‑League‑era talisman, Vini pairs Madrid wages with a fast‑growing portfolio in fashion, gaming, and lifestyle—an archetype for football salaries and endorsements 2025 in the new Galáctico age. (Forbes)

• On‑field: Real Madrid base + performance incentives
• Off‑field: fashion/watch deals, gaming tie‑ins
• Upside: youth and frequency in finals lift fees

6) Erling Haaland — $62M (Manchester City, Premier League)

Haaland proves Europe still mints top earning footballers 2025 without Gulf wages. Relentless scoring turns into top‑tier club pay and premium sponsorships, while his global striker aura drives merchandise and event fees.

• On‑field: elite Premier League salary and goal/trophy bonuses
• Off‑field: flagship sponsors (boots, tech, beverages)
• Commercial draw: record hunts = brandable moments

5) Neymar — $76M (Al‑Hilal, Saudi Pro League)

Injuries haven’t dulled Neymar’s earning power; his compensation structure and crossover celebrity keep him entrenched among richest footballers 2025. Social traction and fashion collabs sustain premium sponsor demand. (Forbes)

• On‑field: eight‑figure base + appearance/bonus clauses
• Off‑field: global endorsements and image rights revenue
• Halo effect: culture/celebrity cachet drives CPMs

4) Kylian Mbappé — $90M (Real Madrid, LaLiga)

Mbappé’s first season in Madrid combines elite wages with a surging commercial profile, making him the face of football salaries and endorsements 2025 for the under‑30 set. Trophies plus global campaigns point to an earnings curve still steepening. (SI)

• On‑field: superstar base pay with trophy bonuses
• Off‑field: high‑end luxury, tech and boot deals
• Trajectory: youth + prestige club = compounding value

3) Karim Benzema — $104M (Al‑Ittihad, Saudi Pro League)

Despite an uneven season, Benzema’s contract terms keep him firmly in the top earning footballers 2025 tier. Even with a lighter sponsor slate than peers, guaranteed club pay in the Gulf drives a nine‑figure annual haul. (Forbes)

• On‑field: near‑nine‑figure base + performance triggers
• Off‑field: select legacy partners add incremental revenue
• Late‑career move: monetizes Ballon d’Or era profile

2) Lionel Messi — $135M (Inter Miami, MLS)

Messi blends MLS compensation (club + league mechanisms) with elite sponsors to remain a fixture among richest footballers 2025. His U.S. footprint multiplies commercial touchpoints—from shirt sales to viewing spikes—cementing long‑term brand value. (ESPN)

• On‑field: Inter Miami salary/bonuses and league‑linked upside
• Off‑field: global endorsements across sportswear, tech, beverages
• U.S. market: Apple/MLS era exposure fuels lifetime earnings

1) Cristiano Ronaldo — $275M (Al‑Nassr, Saudi Pro League)

Ronaldo tops the highest‑paid soccer players 2025 list with an unprecedented total, powered by a Saudi Pro League megadeal plus global brand equity that still outperforms younger rivals. His CR7 ecosystem (fashion, hotels, fitness) and unmatched social reach keep CPMs and appearance fees at the sport’s ceiling. (Forbes/ Reuters/ESPN)

• On‑field: massive Saudi Pro League salary and incentives
• Off‑field: blue‑chip endorsements and CR7 licensing lines
• Social scale: world‑leading following that commands premium rates

Bottom line

The highest‑paid soccer players 2025 are propelled by two engines: super‑club or Saudi/MLS salaries and global endorsements. Europe’s icons (Messi, Mbappé, Haaland, Vinícius, De Bruyne, Bellingham) mint value through trophies and prestige, while Gulf‑era megadeals (Ronaldo, Benzema, Neymar, Mané, Mahrez) redefine the ceiling for football salaries and endorsements 2025.

FAQ

1. Who is the highest‑paid soccer player in 2025 and how much did he earn?

Cristiano Ronaldo leads the highest‑paid soccer players 2025 list at an estimated $275M, powered by a Saudi Pro League mega‑salary plus global endorsements and CR7 licensing (Forbes).

2. What’s the difference between “richest footballers 2025” and yearly earnings?

“Richest footballers 2025” often implies net worth, but our ranking uses Forbes earnings 2025—pre‑tax, 12‑month income combining salary/bonuses (on‑field) and endorsements/licensing (off‑field), not lifetime assets.

3. Which leagues dominate the top earning footballers 2025?

A mix of Saudi Pro League (cash‑heavy salaries), MLS (Messi’s commercial flywheel), and Europe’s elite—Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga—drives the top 15, blending trophy prestige with football salaries and endorsements 2025.

4. How do on‑field vs off‑field earnings typically split at the top?

Gulf deals skew salary‑heavy (majority on‑field), while Europe/MLS icons often show a balanced stack where 30–50% (or more) can come from sponsors, licensing, and media—the exact mix varies by player (Forbes).

5. Who are the biggest under‑26 earners in 2025?

Kylian Mbappé (26) sits just above that line, but within the younger cohort of the top 15, Erling Haaland (25), Vinícius Júnior (25), and Jude Bellingham (22) headline the rising earnings curve among top earning footballers 2025 (Forbes).

6. Did any defenders or goalkeepers make the top 15?

No—forwards and attacking mids dominate the highest‑paid soccer players 2025 because they attract outsized sponsor demand, goal‑driven bonuses, and global visibility that amplifies CPMs and appearance fees.

7. Why are Saudi Pro League transfers reshaping Forbes earnings 2025?

They introduced record guaranteed salaries and rich bonus structures, instantly lifting annual totals for stars like Ronaldo, Benzema, Neymar, Mané, Mahrez, and pushing the ceiling of football salaries and endorsements 2025 (Forbes).

8. How did Lionel Messi reach #2 without a Saudi contract?

Inter Miami/MLS created a U.S. market flywheel—club pay plus league‑linked upside and premium global sponsors—keeping Messi near the top of richest footballers 2025 despite a smaller base salary than Gulf packages (Forbes).

9. What could change the rankings next year?

Transfers (Saudi/MLS/Europe), trophy runs (UCL, Club World Cup), new mega‑endorsements, and media deals can quickly re‑order highest‑paid soccer players lists by shifting both salary and sponsor value (Forbes).

10. Are Forbes earnings exact or estimates?

They’re best‑available estimates—pre‑tax, gross figures aligned to a set window, rounded for clarity. They exclude transfer fees, taxes, and most signing bonuses, providing an apples‑to‑apples look at Forbes earnings 2025 (Forbes).

Sources

• Forbes — The World’s 10 Highest‑Paid Athletes 2025
• Forbes — The World’s Highest‑Paid Athletes (2025 list hub)
• Forbes — The Highest‑Paid Players at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
• Reuters — Ronaldo tops Forbes list of highest‑paid athletes 2025
• Sports Illustrated — Recap of Forbes 2025 earnings for Ronaldo/Messi/Mbappé: 
• Forbes Profiles (2025 snapshots where available):
  
  • Cristiano Ronaldo
  • Lionel Messi
  • Karim Benzema
  • Kylian Mbappé
  • Neymar
  • Erling Haaland
  • Vinícius Júnior 
  • Sadio Mané
  • Mohamed Salah
  • Harry Kane
  • Kevin De Bruyne
  • Jude Bellingham
  • Antoine Griezmann
  • Riyad Mahrez
  • Robert Lewandowski