Teenagers enters the richest footballers across the globe
Why football salaries matter beyond sport
Football today operates on a global economic scale similar to the film and technology industries. Broadcasting rights, sponsorships, fashion partnerships, and social media exposure have turned top players into international brands.
According to Forbes journalist Justin Birnbaum, the world’s ten highest paid footballers are projected to earn a combined $945 million during the 2025, 26 season. Those figures include salaries, bonuses, endorsements, licensing deals, and income from businesses owned by the players.
Ronaldo remains the sport’s financial benchmark
Cristiano Ronaldo, now 40, tops the ranking once again. According to Forbes, the Al Nassr forward is expected to earn about $280 million this season, with roughly $230 million coming from football related income and another $50 million generated off the pitch.
Ronaldo’s earning power is closely tied to his global visibility. He is the most followed individual on social media worldwide, which allows sponsors to reach audiences far beyond traditional sports fans.
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Messi’s influence stretches far beyond the pitch
Lionel Messi ranks second with projected earnings of around $130 million, according to Forbes. Playing for Inter Miami, Messi has become a central figure in the commercial growth of football in the United States.
His arrival has increased ticket sales, merchandise demand, and media attention, illustrating how a single player can reshape an entire league’s business prospects.
Established stars continue to dominate the top tier
Karim Benzema places third with estimated earnings of $104 million, followed by Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé on $95 million, according to Forbes. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland ranks fifth with projected earnings of $80 million.
These players benefit from a mix of elite level contracts and global endorsement deals, reflecting football’s ongoing appeal to multinational brands.
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Young players break into football’s financial elite
The clearest shift in this year’s list comes from age. Jude Bellingham, 22, ranks ninth with $44 million, while Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, just 18, enters the top ten with $43 million, according to Forbes.
For readers outside football, this matters because it shows how commercial value now arrives earlier than ever. Young players are building global audiences and securing long term brand partnerships before reaching their twenties.
A sport shaped by global investment
Spain’s La Liga leads the list with four players, while the Saudi Pro League follows with three, highlighting how investment from the Middle East has reshaped football’s financial landscape. The English Premier League contributes two players, and Major League Soccer appears through Messi alone.
According to Forbes, this distribution reflects how football’s wealth is no longer centered solely in Europe but increasingly influenced by emerging markets seeking global recognition.
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When football becomes a worldwide business engine
This ranking is not just about wages, but about influence. Ronaldo may still sit at the top, but the presence of teenagers alongside established icons shows that football’s business model is accelerating.
As younger stars grow their followings across digital platforms and global brands chase new audiences, football’s biggest contests are no longer limited to stadiums. They now play out across media, culture, and the global economy.
Source:
Forbes, “The World’s Highest Paid Soccer Players 2025,” by Justin Birnbaum.
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