Why Ronaldo and Co. Are Moving to Saudi Arabia: The Massive Paychecks of the Saudi Pro League’s Top 24 Stars

March 6, 2025 Editorial team

A few years ago, most football fans couldn’t name two players in Saudi Arabia’s top league. Now, some of the world’s biggest stars are flocking there—and the reason is undeniable: eye-watering salaries. Here are the 24 highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League, ranked from lowest to highest.

Gabri Veiga (€230,769 per week / €12,000,000 per year)

Gabri Viega — Photo: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

Spanish midfielder Gabri Veiga shocked the football world by moving to Saudi Arabia at such a young age. With a weekly salary of €230,769 and an annual income of €12,000,000, it’s easy to see why he made the leap.

Mohamed Simakan (€230,769 per week / €12,000,000 per year)

Photo: Mikolaj Barbanell / Shutterstock.com

Former RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan earns the same as Gabri Veiga, receiving €230,769 per week, which amounts to €12,000,000 annually.

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Yannick Carrasco (€250,000 per week / €13,000,000 per year)

Belgian winger Yannick Carrasco, known for his exploits in La Liga and on the international stage, earns an impressive €250,000 a week, translating to €13,000,000 a year.

Otávio (€250,000 per week / €13,000,000 per year)

Photo: Maciej Rogowski Photo / Shutterstock.com

Portuguese midfielder Otávio has secured a weekly wage of €250,000 in Saudi Arabia, bringing his annual earnings to €13,000,000.

Fabinho (€269,231 per week / €14,000,000 per year)

Brazilian defensive midfielder Fabinho, who made his name at Liverpool, earns €269,231 every week in Saudi Arabia, bringing his total annual salary to €14,000,000.

Franck Kessié (€269,231 per week / €14,000,000 per year)

Former AC Milan and Barcelona star Franck Kessié enjoys a weekly salary of €269,231, amounting to €14,000,000 per year.

Georginio Wijnaldum (€288,462 per week / €15,000,000 per year)

Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, once a pivotal player for Liverpool, now earns €288,462 weekly, totaling €15,000,000 annually.

João Cancelo (€294,423 per week / €15,300,000 per year)

Portuguese full-back João Cancelo earns €294,423 a week, resulting in an annual salary of €15,300,000.

Moussa Diaby (€332,692 per week / €17,300,000 per year)

French winger Moussa Diaby is another top earner, with €332,692 per week in salary, amounting to €17,300,000 a year.

Rúben Neves (€346,154 per week / €18,000,000 per year)

Photo: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

Rúben Neves, once a rising star in the Premier League, now earns €346,154 weekly in Saudi Arabia, totaling €18,000,000 annually.

Malcom (€346,154 per week / €18,000,000 per year)

Brazilian winger Malcom earns the same as Rúben Neves, with €346,154 per week and €18,000,000 per year in salary.

Roberto Firmino (€365,385 per week / €19,000,000 per year)

Former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino takes home €365,385 every week, giving him an annual income of €19,000,000.

John Durán (€392.000 per week / €20.410.000 per year)

Jhon Durán — Mikolaj Barbanell / Shutterstock.com

The young Colombian has received a substantial pay raise after swapping Aston Villa for Al Nassr—€392,500 per week and a staggering €20,410,000 per year.

Marcelo Brozović (€423,077 per week / €22,000,000 per year)

Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozović earns €423,077 a week, which translates to €22,000,000 per year.

Aymeric Laporte (€471,154 per week / €24,500,000 per year)

Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte earns €471,154 every week, totaling €24,500,000 per year.

Aleksandar Mitrović (€480,769 per week / €25,000,000 per year)

Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrović enjoys a massive weekly salary of €480,769, equivalent to €25,000,000 annually.

Sergej Milinković-Savić (€480,769 per week / €25,000,000 per year)

Photo: Raffaele Conti 88 / Shutterstock.com

Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić earns the same as his compatriot Mitrović, taking home €25,000,000 annually.

N’Golo Kanté (€480,769 per week / €25,000,000 per year)

World Cup-winning midfielder N’Golo Kanté has swapped Europe for Saudi Arabia, where he earns €480,769 weekly and €25,000,000 yearly.

Ivan Toney (€490,577 per week / €25,510,000 per year)

Photo: Michael Potts F1 / Shutterstock.com

The English striker Ivan Toney has transitioned to Saudi Arabia, where he earns €490,577 per week, adding up to an annual salary of €25,510,000.

Kalidou Koulibaly (€667,308 per week / €34,700,000 per year)

Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly is one of the league’s top earners, with a weekly salary of €667,308, amounting to €34,700,000 per year.

Sadio Mané (€769,231 per week / €40,000,000 per year)

Senegalese star Sadio Mané earns €769,231 every week, totaling €40,000,000 annually.

Riyad Mahrez (€1,003,846 per week / €52,200,000 per year)

Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez commands an astonishing weekly salary of €1,003,846, adding up to €52,200,000 annually.

Karim Benzema (€1,923,077 per week / €100,000,000 per year)

Former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema matches Neymar’s salary, earning €1,923,077 weekly and €100,000,000 annually.

Cristiano Ronaldo (€3,846,154 per week / €200,000,000 per year)

Topping the list is none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, who earns a staggering €3,846,154 per week and €200,000,000 per year, making him the highest-paid player in the Saudi Pro League.

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