PSG may dominate the headlines, but Ligue 1 remains a league of contrasts—where star-studded rosters coexist with clubs operating on far more modest budgets. The gap is especially clear when you look at player salaries.
We’ve taken a closer look at the top earners in France’s top flight, as revealed by L’Équipe, and ranked the 31 highest-paid players in Ligue 1 from lowest to highest.
31. Denis Zakaria – £275,000 per month
The Swiss midfielder plays for AS Monaco, where his physicality and versatility are key assets. His monthly salary reflects the value placed on his experience at both club and international level.
30. Aleksandr Golovin – £275,000 per month
Golovin remains one of Monaco’s most creative outlets. The Russian international’s flair and playmaking ability have kept him near the top of the club’s wage bill.
29. Gaëtan Laborde – £275,000 per month
Laborde is the top earner at OGC Nice and a reliable attacking presence. His consistency in front of goal has earned him this well-compensated status.
28. Valentin Rongier – £284,000 per month
As captain of Marseille, Rongier is a leader on and off the pitch. His intelligence and consistency in midfield justify his place among Ligue 1’s top earners.
27. Rayan Cherki – £284,000 per month
Still only 21, Cherki is one of France’s most technically gifted young talents. His flair and creativity at Lyon have made him a key figure for the future.
26. Leonardo Balerdi – £301,000 per month
The Argentine center-back has solidified his role in Marseille’s defense. After a steady rise, he now earns one of the club’s higher salaries.
25. Joao Neves – £344,000 per month
PSG signed the Portuguese midfielder as a long-term project. Despite limited starts, his potential is highly regarded, as shown in his generous wage.
24. Brice Samba – £344,000 per month
A winter signing for Rennes, Samba brought top-level experience from Lens. He quickly claimed the No. 1 spot and a place among the club’s best-paid players.
23. Seko Fofana – £344,000 per month
Fofana adds energy and leadership to Rennes’ midfield after arriving in January. His commanding presence on the pitch matches his high salary.
22. Nemanja Matic – £344,000 per month
The Serbian veteran provides Lyon with experience and tactical discipline. After years in England and Italy, Matic continues to be well rewarded in France.
21. Fabian Ruiz – £373,000 per month
A technically elegant midfielder, Ruiz plays a supporting role at PSG. His tactical intelligence and calm under pressure make him a valuable squad member.
20. Gonçalo Ramos – £381,000 per month
Though not a guaranteed starter, Ramos remains one of PSG’s costlier investments. The Portuguese striker was signed with long-term expectations in mind.
19. Corentin Tolisso – £387,000 per month
After returning to Lyon from Bayern Munich, Tolisso brought Champions League experience to the team. While injuries have interrupted his rhythm, his salary remains among the highest at the club.
18. Ismaël Bennacer – £387,000 per month
The Algerian international joined Marseille to provide composure and control in midfield. A smart distributor of the ball, Bennacer is now one of the best-paid players in the squad.
17. Geoffrey Kondogbia – £387,000 per month
A physical and experienced midfielder, Kondogbia adds steel and leadership to Marseille’s core. His salary reflects a long career spent at top European clubs.
16. Mason Greenwood – £387,000 per month
The former Manchester United forward joined Marseille seeking a fresh start. Despite mixed performances, he remains one of the club’s top earners, thanks to his pedigree and attacking talent.
15. Alexandre Lacazette – £430,000 per month
Now 33, Lacazette continues to lead Lyon’s front line with experience and professionalism. His finishing touch and leadership are highly valued, reflected in his impressive monthly wage.
14. Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg – £430,000 per month
The Danish midfielder arrived at Marseille with Premier League experience and a reputation for control and consistency. His presence in midfield has been rewarded with one of the club’s top salaries.
13. Adrien Rabiot – £430,000 per month
Rabiot’s return to France from Juventus brought him to Marseille, where his technical ability and tactical sense add balance to the team. He remains one of Ligue 1’s most accomplished midfielders.
12. Désiré Doué – £430,000 per month
A teenage sensation, Doué was a marquee signing for PSG from Rennes. His raw talent and explosive potential earned him a contract that places him firmly among the league’s highest-paid youngsters.
11. Bradley Barcola – £473,000 per month
After impressing at Lyon, Barcola made the leap to PSG where his pace and dribbling have stood out. His performances on the wing have justified his rapid salary rise.
10. Presnel Kimpembe – £550,000 per month
A PSG academy product and long-time servant, Kimpembe is respected for his loyalty and physical defending. Despite injury setbacks, he maintains a high wage due to his senior role in the squad.
9. Nuno Mendes – £688,000 per month
The Portuguese left-back has been a consistent performer when fit. Dynamic going forward and strong defensively, Mendes earns one of the highest salaries among full-backs in Europe.
8. Gianluigi Donnarumma – £730,000 per month
Italy’s No. 1 remains PSG’s undisputed starter in goal. Still only 26, Donnarumma is one of the highest-paid goalkeepers in the world, reflecting his status and potential.
7. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – £774,000 per month
The Georgian winger joined PSG in January to great fanfare. While he’s still settling, his creativity and dribbling skills have already added flair to the attack—and earned him a top-10 salary.
6. Vitinha – £774,000 per month
A technically refined midfielder, Vitinha has become a core part of PSG’s system. His intelligence and work rate on both ends of the pitch have been rewarded with a major pay upgrade.
5. Warren Zaïre-Emery – £817,000 per month
At just 18, Zaïre-Emery has already established himself as a regular starter for PSG. Seen as a future captain, the homegrown midfielder is paid like a superstar in the making.
4. Achraf Hakimi – £946,000 per month
The Moroccan right-back is known for his electric pace and attacking threat. As one of the best in his position worldwide, Hakimi earns a salary that matches his global reputation.
3. Lucas Hernandez – £946,000 per month
After his big-money move from Bayern Munich, Hernandez has become a defensive mainstay at PSG. His versatility across the back line and elite experience command a premium wage.
2. Marquinhos – £963,000 per month
PSG’s long-time captain and defensive leader, Marquinhos is one of the most respected figures in the squad. His loyalty and consistency have made him a cornerstone—and one of the league’s top earners.
1. Ousmane Dembélé – £1,290,000 per month
With Kylian Mbappé now in Madrid, Dembélé tops the Ligue 1 salary list. The explosive winger has taken on a leading role at PSG, and his salary reflects both his talent and his status in French football.
