The world of football continues to see record-breaking salaries for its top players. In 2024, clubs are willing to offer astronomical sums to attract and retain the biggest stars of the game.
Here is the top 10 list of the highest-paid footballers this year, according to Foot Mercato:
- Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list with an astonishing salary of 263 million euros per year, reflecting his status as a global football legend.
- Lionel Messi earns 124 million euros, making him one of the highest-paid players, even after moving from PSG to Inter Miami.
- Neymar follows with 101 million euros, despite his brief stint in Saudi Arabia, where he only played two matches in 2024 but still secured massive earnings.
- Karim Benzema holds the fourth position with a salary of 96 million euros, also in Saudi Arabia, which has become a hotspot for international stars.
- Kylian Mbappé completes the top 5 with 83 million euros, although the Frenchman has left Paris Saint-Germain for new challenges at Real Madrid.
- Erling Haaland is in sixth place with a salary of 55 million euros, continuing to shine with Manchester City.
- Vinicius Jr takes the seventh spot with 51 million euros, a salary that reflects his leading role at Real Madrid.
- Mohamed Salah is eighth with a salary of 49 million euros, a significant figure for the Egyptian winger at Liverpool.
- Sadio Mané follows with 48 million euros, also playing in Saudi Arabia, where salaries have skyrocketed as a major attraction.
- Kevin De Bruyne rounds out the list with a salary of 36 million euros, one of the top players in the English Premier League.
These record-breaking salaries demonstrate the enormous investment clubs are making to attract and retain their biggest stars, particularly in leagues like the Premier League and the Saudi Pro League, where wages are reaching unprecedented heights.
