Massive Gender Pay Gap in Football: Top 10 Male vs. Female Earners Revealed

Despite growing attention, audience numbers, and revenue in women’s football, a staggering pay gap remains between the sport’s top female and male athletes. Recent figures highlight just how vast the disparity is, with the highest-paid male footballer earning more than 200 times his top female counterpart.

10. Trinity Rodman (£214,000) vs. Sadio Mane (£40 million)

Trinity Rodman, one of the rising stars in women’s football, earns just over £200,000 annually. In contrast, Senegalese forward Sadio Mane pulls in an enormous £40 million, showcasing the stark imbalance in the sport.

9. Christine Sinclair (£288,000) vs. Robert Lewandowski (£45 million)

Canadian legend Christine Sinclair continues to inspire with her long-standing international career. Yet her £288,000 salary is a fraction of Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, who makes £45 million a year.

8. Wendie Renard (£298,000) vs. Erling Haaland (£50 million)

French captain Wendie Renard, renowned for her leadership and defensive skills, earns under £300,000 annually. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland earns £50 million, even though both players perform at the top level.

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7. Marta (£322,000) vs. Kevin De Bruyne (£50 million)

Brazilian icon Marta, often dubbed the greatest female footballer ever, earns £322,000. Her male counterpart on the list, Kevin De Bruyne, earns over 150 times that amount with a salary of £50 million.

6. Ada Hegerberg (£332,000) vs. Mohamed Salah (£70 million)

Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg takes home £332,000 a year. In comparison, Liverpool star Mohamed Salah brings in £70 million, despite both athletes being among the best in their roles.

5. Keira Walsh (£382,000) vs. Karim Benzema (£85 million)

England midfielder Keira Walsh has become a household name and earns £382,000 per year. Yet her earnings are massively eclipsed by French striker Karim Benzema’s £85 million income.

4. Racheal Kundananji (£385,000) vs. Kylian Mbappe (£90 million)

Zambian forward Racheal Kundananji is one of the fastest-rising talents in the women’s game, with a £385,000 salary. Still, that’s only a tiny fraction of French superstar Kylian Mbappe’s £90 million paycheck.

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3. Sam Kerr (£449,000) vs. Neymar (£95 million)

Chelsea striker Sam Kerr, widely regarded as one of the best in the world, earns £449,000. Brazilian forward Neymar, who remains a commercial juggernaut, earns £95 million in comparison.

2. Alexia Putellas (£584,000) vs. Lionel Messi (£110 million)

Spain’s Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, earns just under £600,000 annually. Argentine icon Lionel Messi, meanwhile, collects £110 million a year, underscoring the gender imbalance in earnings.

1. Aitana Bonmati (£835,000) vs. Cristiano Ronaldo (£173 million)

2025 Women’s Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati is the highest-paid female footballer with £835,000 in earnings. Cristiano Ronaldo, however, tops the men’s list by a landslide with a staggering £208 million annual income.

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