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    Yamal Makes History on Forbes’ 2025 Highest-Paid Players List

    Emma TeeBy No Comments3 Mins Read

    • Lamine Yamal Joins Football’s Financial Elite as Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Forbes’ 2025 Highest-Paid Players List

    Yamal Makes History on Forbes’ 2025 Highest-Paid Players List
    Yamal Makes History on Forbes’ 2025 Highest-Paid Players List

    Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has made history by breaking into Forbes’ top 10 highest-paid footballers of 2025, joining an elite list dominated by some of the game’s biggest global icons.

    At just 18 years old, Yamal’s inclusion marks a stunning ascent both on and off the pitch. The young winger, who enjoyed a breakout 2024/25 season with Barcelona, now earns a reported $43 million annually, placing him 10th on Forbes’ latest list and making him the youngest footballer ever to feature among the sport’s top earners.

    Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to reign supreme financially. The 40-year-old Portuguese superstar tops the rankings for the second consecutive year with an astounding $280 million in earnings, driven by his record-breaking contract extension with Al Nassr and his vast global endorsement portfolio. Ronaldo also remains on course to hit the 1,000 career goals milestone, underscoring his enduring dominance.

    Lionel Messi sits in second place with $130 million, largely fueled by lucrative partnerships with Adidas, Lay’s, and Mastercard, as well as the launch of his own sports drink brand. Karim Benzema, now at Al Ittihad, takes the third spot with $104 million, while Kylian Mbappé ($95 million) and Erling Haaland ($80 million) complete the top five.

    But all eyes are on Yamal, the new face of Barcelona’s future. His dazzling performances, including 18 goals and 25 assists last season, helped the Catalan giants capture a domestic treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup). His heroics for Spain’s Euro 2024-winning side only cemented his superstar status.

    Off the field, Yamal’s marketability has skyrocketed. In addition to Adidas, Konami, and Powerade, he recently signed a major endorsement deal with Beats by Dre, boosting his commercial value. Barcelona rewarded his impact with a new contract running until 2031 and handed him the iconic No. 10 jersey once worn by Lionel Messi, symbolising a generational passing of the torch.

    Here’s Forbes’ list of the 10 highest-paid footballers in 2025:

    1️⃣ Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) – $280 million
    2️⃣ Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – $130 million
    3️⃣ Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad) – $104 million
    4️⃣ Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – $95 million
    5️⃣ Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – $80 million
    6️⃣ Vinícius Jr (Real Madrid) – $60 million
    7️⃣ Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – $55 million
    8️⃣ Sadio Mané (Al Nassr) – $54 million
    9️⃣ Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – $44 million
    🔟 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – $43 million

    From La Masia prodigy to global powerhouse, Lamine Yamal’s rise reflects football’s new era, where teenage talent can rival legends in both performance and pay.

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