Top 117 Highest-Paid Football Players in the World – Ranked from Lowest to Highest
Have you ever wondered what the highest-paid football players in the world earn and how much separates the top earner from number 118 on the list? We’ve got the answer for you here, as we rank the 118 highest-paid players worldwide from lowest to highest. (Excluding players from the Chinese league, this list features players from the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Saudi Pro League, MLS, and Bundesliga.)
117. Dusan Tadic – €7,000,000

Dusan Tadic earns an impressive annual salary of €7 million, showcasing his value as a consistent performer on the field.
116. Fred – €7,000,000

Fred’s annual earnings of €7 million underline his solid role in midfield.
115. Edin Dzeko – €7,000,000

Veteran striker Edin Dzeko brings home €7 million each year.
114. Stefan de Vrij – €7,040,000

De Vrij’s defensive skills earn him €7.04 million annually.
113. Ismaël Bennacer – €7,040,000

Bennacer’s tactical midfield contributions are valued at €7.04 million per year.
112. Paulo Dybala – €7,040,000

Star playmaker Dybala secures €7.04 million annually for his creativity on the pitch.
111. Federico Dimarco – €7,410,000

Dimarco’s annual salary of €7.41 million reflects his growing importance in his team’s defensive and offensive plays.
110. Presnel Kimpembe – €7,680,000

Kimpembe earns a solid €7.68 million per year, underscoring his role as a key defensive asset.
109. Romelu Lukaku – €7,690,000

Lukaku’s annual salary of €7.69 million reflects his prowess as a top striker.
108. Marcus Thuram – €7,690,000

Thuram earns €7.69 million per year, showcasing his growing reputation in football.
107. Sergio Busquets – €8,231,259

Busquets takes home over €8.23 million annually, a testament to his years of excellence and leadership on the field.
106. Piotr Zieliński – €8,330,000

Zieliński’s €8.33 million yearly salary highlights his value as a creative force in midfield.
105. Douglas Luiz – €8,330,000

Douglas Luiz earns €8.33 million per year, proving his worth as a dependable midfielder.
104. Álvaro Morata – €8,330,000

Morata’s annual salary of €8.33 million reflects his continued presence as a reliable striker.
103. Warren Zaïre-Emery – €8,400,000

Zaïre-Emery earns €8.4 million per year, an impressive figure for the young and talented player.
102. Randal Kolo Muani – €9,090,000

Kolo Muani’s €9.09 million annual salary showcases his growing reputation as a top striker.
101. João Neves – €9,090,000

João Neves earns €9.09 million annually, proving his rising influence in professional football.
100. Alessandro Bastoni – €9,200,000

Bastoni’s €9.2 million yearly income highlights his status as a crucial part of his team’s defensive structure.
99. Bremer – €9,200,000

With an annual salary of €9.2 million, Bremer is recognized as one of the top defenders in the game.
98. Ferran Torres – €10,000,000

Torres’s versatility earns him €10 million annually.
97. Victor Osimhen – €10,000,000

Osimhen’s prolific goal-scoring ability is rewarded with €10 million a year.
96. Rafa Silva – €10,000,000

Rafa Silva’s dynamic style of play brings him an annual salary of €10 million.
95. João Palhinha – €10,000,000

Palhinha earns €10 million annually for his commanding performances in midfield.
94. Dayot Upamecano – €10,000,000

Upamecano’s defensive expertise secures him €10 million per year.
93. Ciro Immobile – €10,000,000

Immobile’s consistent scoring earns him €10 million annually.
92. Dani Ceballos – €10,420,000

Ceballos’s midfield versatility is valued at €10.42 million per year.
91. Nico Williams – €10,420,000

Young talent Nico Williams earns €10.42 million annually.
90. Luka Modric – €10,420,000

The veteran playmaker’s experience is rewarded with €10.42 million a year.
89. Ferland Mendy – €10,420,000

Mendy’s defensive contributions earn him €10.42 million annually.
88. Daniel Carvajal – €10,420,000

Carvajal’s reliability at right-back is valued at €10.42 million per year.
87. Hakan Çalhanoğlu – €11,110,000

The midfield maestro earns €11.11 million annually.
86. Alphonso Davies – €11,250,000

Davies’s explosive pace secures him €11.25 million per year.
85. Lionel Messi – €11,758,080

Although Messi was once one of the highest-paid players in the world, this is no longer the case in the USA. In the MLS, Messi earns a salary of €11,758,080. However, he makes enormous sums through sponsorships and other ventures, which significantly boost his overall income, keeping him among the highest-paid athletes globally.
84. Iñaki Williams – €11,400,000

Iñaki’s consistency on the wing brings him €11.4 million annually.
83. Josko Gvardiol – €12,000,000

Gvardiol’s rising defensive prowess is valued at €12 million annually.
82. Antony – €12,000,000

Antony’s flair on the pitch secures him €12 million per year.
81. Gabri Veiga – €12,000,000

Veiga’s emerging talent earns him €12 million annually.
80. Min-jae Kim – €12,000,000

Kim’s solid defensive performances bring him €12 million per year.
79. Nicolò Barella – €12,040,000

Barella earns €12.04 million annually for his consistent midfield contributions.
78. Matthijs de Ligt – €12,200,000

De Ligt’s commanding presence in defense is valued at €12.2 million per year.
77. Ben Chilwell – €12,376,000

Chilwell takes home €12.38 million per year, showcasing his value as one of the top defenders in the league.
76. Raphinha – €12,500,000

Raphinha earns €12.5 million annually, emphasizing his role as a creative winger in his squad.
75. Rodrygo – €12,500,000

Rodrygo’s skill and potential bring him €12.5 million annually.
74. Eduardo Camavinga – €12,500,000

Camavinga’s impressive performances earn him €12.5 million annually.
73. Aurélien Tchouaméni – €12,500,000

Tchouaméni’s midfield dominance secures him €12.5 million annually.
72. Antoine Griezmann – €12,500,000

Griezmann’s experience and skill are rewarded with €12.5 million per year.
71. Mohamed Simakan – €12,500,000

Simakan’s defensive abilities earn him €12.5 million annually.
70. Gianluigi Donnarumma – €12,730,000

Donnarumma’s €12.73 million yearly salary highlights his importance as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
69. Leon Goretzka – €13,000,000

Goretzka’s versatility brings him €13 million per year.
68. Yannick Carrasco – €13,000,000

Carrasco’s flair earns him €13 million annually.
67. Otávio – €13,000,000

Otávio’s creative play is valued at €13 million per year.
66. Michael Olise – €13,500,000

Olise’s potential earns him €13.5 million annually.
65. Jules Koundé – €13,550,000

Koundé’s defensive skill secures him €13.55 million annually.
64. Ansu Fati – €13,950,000

The young forward earns €13.95 million per year.
63. Phil Foden – €14,000,000

Foden’s creativity and technical skill are rewarded with €14 million annually.
62. Virgil van Dijk – €14,000,000

Van Dijk’s leadership in defense earns him €14 million annually.
61. Rodri – €14,000,000

Rodri’s midfield control is valued at €14 million per year.
60. Fabinho – €14,000,000

Fabinho’s defensive midfield role secures him €14 million annually.
59. Franck Kessié – €14,000,000

Kessié’s versatility brings him €14 million per year.
58. Achraf Hakimi – €14,550,000

Hakimi’s attacking prowess from the back earns him €14.55 million annually.
57. Marco Asensio – €14,550,000

Asensio’s creativity and goalscoring ability are valued at €14.55 million per year.
56. Éder Militão – €14,580,000

Militão’s defensive reliability earns him €14.58 million annually
55. Antonio Rüdiger – €14,580,000

Rüdiger’s commanding presence at the back secures him €14.58 million annually.
54. Georginio Wijnaldum – €15,000,000

Wijnaldum earns €15 million per year, underlining his consistent midfield performances.
53. Leroy Sané – €15,000,000

Sané’s pace and creativity are rewarded with €15 million annually.
52. Thibaut Courtois – €15,000,000

Courtois’s goalkeeping excellence earns him €15 million annually.
51. Martin Ødegaard – €15,000,000

Ødegaard’s vision and leadership bring him €15 million per year.
50. Declan Rice – €15,000,000

Rice’s defensive midfield mastery earns him €15 million annually.
49. Seko Fofana – €15,200,000

Fofana’s influence in midfield is valued at €15.2 million per year.
48 Moussa Diaby – €15,300,000

Diaby takes home €15.3 million annually, reflecting his role as a dynamic winger in attack.
47. João Cancelo – €15,310,000

Cancelo’s versatility secures him €15.31 million annually.
46. Reece James – €15,500,000

James’s defensive and attacking abilities bring him €15.5 million per year.
45. John Stones – €15,500,000

Stones’s reliability in defense earns him €15.5 million annually.
44. Mason Mount – €15,500,000

Mount’s creativity and goalscoring contributions are valued at €15.5 million per year.
43. Milan Škriniar – €16,360,000

Škriniar’s defensive solidity earns him €16.36 million annually.
42. Gabriel Jesus – €16,398,200

Gabriel Jesus earns an impressive €16.4 million annually, showcasing his talent as a top forward.
41. Federico Valverde – €16,670,000

Valverde’s energy and versatility are rewarded with €16.67 million annually.
40. Lautaro Martínez – €16,670,000

Martínez’s attacking prowess secures him €16.67 million per year.
39. Marquinhos – €16,800,000

Marquinhos’s leadership in defense is valued at €16.8 million per year.
38. Kingsley Coman – €17,000,000

Coman’s pace and technical ability bring him €17 million annually.
37. Kai Havertz – €17,000,000

Havertz’s creativity and goalscoring ability earn him €17 million per year.
36. Rúben Neves – €17,300,000

Neves’s control in midfield is rewarded with €17.3 million annually.
35. Bruno Fernandes – €18,000,000

Fernandes’s creativity and goal contributions secure him €18 million annually.
34. Jack Grealish – €18,000,000

Grealish’s flair and skill earn him €18 million per year.
33. Malcom – €18,000,000

Malcom’s attacking creativity is valued at €18 million annually.
32. Marcus Rashford – €18,000,000

Rashford’s pace and goalscoring ability bring him €18 million annually.
31. Bernardo Silva – €18,000,000

Silva’s technical excellence secures him €18 million annually.
30. Serge Gnabry – €18,870,000

Gnabry’s goals and assists earn him €18.87 million per year.
29. Roberto Firmino – €19,000,000

Firmino’s creativity and work rate bring him €19 million annually.
28. Lucas Hernández – €19,000,000

Hernández’s defensive skills are valued at €19 million annually.
27. Frenkie de Jong – €19,000,000

De Jong’s midfield dominance secures him €19 million annually.
26. Joshua Kimmich – €19,500,000

Kimmich’s versatility is rewarded with €19.5 million annually.
25. Ousmane Dembélé – €20,000,000

Dembélé’s pace and flair secure him €20 million per year.
24. Thomas Müller – €20,500,000

Müller’s leadership and creativity earn him €20.5 million annually.
23. Jan Oblak – €20,830,000

Oblak’s goalkeeping excellence is valued at €20.83 million annually.
22. Vinícius Júnior – €20,830,000

Vinícius’s attacking flair secures him €20.83 million per year.
21. Jude Bellingham – €20,830,000

Bellingham’s rising stardom brings him €20.83 million annually.
20. Casemiro – €21,000,000

Casemiro’s defensive midfield role is valued at €21 million annually.
19. Manuel Neuer – €21,000,000

Neuer’s experience and goalkeeping ability bring him €21 million per year.
18. Mohamed Salah – €21,000,000

Salah’s goalscoring brilliance earns him €21 million annually.
17. David Alaba – €22,500,000

Alaba’s versatility in defense and midfield is rewarded with €22.5 million annually.
16. Erling Haaland – €22,500,000

Haaland’s prolific goalscoring ability secures him €22.5 million per year.
15. Kevin De Bruyne – €24,000,000

De Bruyne’s playmaking excellence is valued at €24 million annually.
14. Marcelo Brozović – €24,200,000

Brozović’s midfield control earns him €24.2 million per year.
13. Aymeric Laporte – €24,500,000

Laporte’s defensive reliability brings him €24.5 million annually.
12. N’Golo Kanté – €25,000,000

Kanté’s tireless work ethic is rewarded with €25 million annually.
11. Aleksandar Mitrović – €25,000,000

Mitrović’s goal contributions earn him €25 million per year.
10. Sergej Milinković-Savić – €25,000,000

Milinković-Savić’s midfield dominance secures him €25 million annually.
9. Harry Kane – €25,000,000

Kane’s consistency in scoring goals is rewarded with €25 million annually.
8. Ivan Toney – €25,510,000

Toney’s incredible performances bring him €25.51 million per year.
7. Kylian Mbappé – €31,250,000

Mbappé’s global stardom and unmatched talent earn him €31.25 million annually.
6. Robert Lewandowski – €33,330,000

Lewandowski’s legendary goal-scoring form secures him €33.33 million per year.
5. Kalidou Koulibaly – €34,700,000

Koulibaly’s commanding defensive role earns him €34.7 million annually.
4. Sadio Mané – €40,000,000

Mané’s electric performances bring him €40 million per year.
3. Riyad Mahrez – €52,200,000

Mahrez’s skillful play is valued at €52.2 million annually.
2. Karim Benzema – €100,000,000

Benzema’s elite forward play secures him €100 million annually.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – €200,000,000

Ronaldo tops the list with an unmatched annual salary of €200 million, solidifying his place as the highest-paid footballer in the world. From a sporting perspective, it may not exactly be a step up for Cristiano Ronaldo, but when it comes to his salary, it has significantly increased compared to what he could have earned elsewhere.