With the significant revenue generated by football, the list of the highest-paid players in 2024 has evolved, particularly with new contracts and high-profile transfers.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the top earners in football for the year 2024, taking into account their on-field salaries as well as off-field earnings from endorsements and business ventures.
Top 10 Highest-Paid Footballers in 2024:
10. Kevin De Bruyne
– Age: 33 | Club: Manchester City | Nationality: Belgium
– On-Field: $35 million • Off-Field: $4 million
De Bruyne earns a total of $39 million annually, with $35 million coming from his playing contract with Manchester City and an additional $4 million from endorsements with brands like Nike, McDonald’s, and Credit Karma.
9. Sadio Mane
– Age: 32 | Club: Al Nassr | Nationality: Senegal
– On-Field: $48 million • Off-Field: $4 million
Mane’s move to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia significantly increased his earnings, making him one of the highest-paid players globally with a $48 million salary and $4 million from endorsements.
8. Mohamed Salah
– Age: 32 | Club: Liverpool | Nationality: Egypt
– On-Field: $35 million • Off-Field: $18 million
Salah remains a vital part of Liverpool’s success, earning $35 million from his playing contract and $18 million from endorsements, bringing his total to $53 million.
7. Vinicius Junior
– Age: 24 | Club: Real Madrid | Nationality: Brazil
– On-Field: $40 million • Off-Field: $15 million
Vinicius Jr. has become one of football’s top earners, with a $40 million salary and $15 million from brand deals, including PlayStation and Pepsi.
6. Erling Haaland
– Age: 24 | Club: Manchester City | Nationality: Norway
-On-Field: $46 million • Off-Field: $14 million
Haaland, Manchester City’s prolific scorer, earns $46 million in wages and $14 million through endorsements, totalling $60 million annually.
5. Kylian Mbappe
– Age: 25 | Club: Real Madrid | Nationality: France
-On-Field: $70 million • Off-Field: $20 million
After his high-profile move to Real Madrid, Mbappe earns $70 million on the field, with an additional $20 million from endorsements. His total earnings reach $90 million.
4. Karim Benzema
-Age: 36 | Club: Al Ittihad | Nationality: France
-On-Field: $100 million • Off-Field: $4 million
Benzema’s move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad landed him a $100 million salary and $4 million from endorsement deals.
3. Neymar
– Age: 32 | Club: Al Hilal | Nationality: Brazil
-On-Field: $80 million • Off-Field: $30 million
Neymar’s switch to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia earns him $80 million on the pitch, complemented by $30 million from endorsements and sponsorships.
2. Lionel Messi
-Age: 37 | Club: Inter Miami | Nationality: Argentina
-On-Field: $60 million • Off-Field: $75 million
With his move to Inter Miami, Messi earns $60 million on the field, along with $75 million off the field through his endorsements and business ventures.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
-Age: 39 | Club: Al Nassr | Nationality: Portugal
-On-Field: $220 million • Off-Field: $65 million
Ronaldo tops the list as the highest-paid footballer in the world, earning a staggering $220 million from his playing contract with Al Nassr and $65 million from off-field endorsements.
These players dominate the sport and leverage their global appeal to maximize earnings through brand partnerships and business ventures.