The scale of modern football finance continues to stretch belief. Premier League clubs had already shattered records last summer, spending an astonishing £3 billion ($4 billion) and eclipsing the previous high of £2.36 billion set just two years earlier.

Against that backdrop, January’s business was never going to be quiet. Instead, it offered a sharp lesson in contrasts: necessity versus excess, planning versus panic.

Among the headline moves, Karim Benzema’s switch from Al Ittihad to fellow PIF-owned side Al Hilal stood out. Unlike many Saudi Pro League recruits who eventually drift back to Europe, Benzema remains in the Kingdom for now, strengthening Al Hilal’s title charge against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.

That context makes Ronaldo’s apparent frustration and reported refusal to play feel less coincidental. In purely footballing terms, Benzema looks an ideal fit for Simone Inzaghi’s system and should continue to deliver goals at an elite level.

🚨💣 BREAKING: Karim Benzema signs in as new Al Hilal player from Al Ittihad, HERE WE GO! 🔵🇸🇦

Former Ballon d’Or leaves Al Ittihad to join Inzaghi’s project at Al Hilal with immediate effect.

Benzema agreed on all terms tonight. 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/eJdcEteWHk

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 2, 2026

In England, Crystal Palace’s decision to push through a £43 million move for Strand Larsen raised eyebrows. The deal appeared dependent on Jean-Philippe Mateta’s departure, a move that collapsed after a failed medical, but Palace pressed on regardless.

It is a bold, arguably risky play. Larsen’s form this season has been poor, with just one league goal and a loss of his starting place. While last season’s 14-goal return offers some encouragement, confidence is fragile, and big fees rarely mix well with players searching for belief.

 

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Elsewhere, patience finally paid off for Ademola Lookman. After a turbulent standoff with Atalanta last summer, the Nigerian forward secured his long-awaited move to Atlético Madrid. For Atalanta, €35 million plus bonuses is solid business given his contract situation; for Atleti, it feels like planning, potentially easing the eventual loss of Antoine Griezmann with another unpredictable attacking weapon.

 

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Some departures were more bittersweet. Oleksandr Zinchenko’s exit from Arsenal closes the chapter on a transformative signing. Injuries have dulled his influence since 2024, making the timing understandable, even if a €1.5 million fee feels underwhelming. Ajax, however, may feel they’ve struck gold, acquiring a technically gifted player whose game should suit the Eredivisie’s lower physical demands.

Ready to play for Ajax.

Welcome, Oleksandr Zinchenko! ❌❌❌ pic.twitter.com/yyk9IWNicY

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) February 1, 2026

Short-term pragmatism defined Nottingham Forest’s move for Stefan Ortega following John Victor’s season-ending injury. Ortega’s calm competence at Manchester City made him a reliable understudy to Ederson, and although City failed to maximize his value, Forest gained crucial stability during a difficult spell.

Welcome to Nottingham Forest, Stefan Ortega Moreno. ✍️

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) February 1, 2026

In South America, Flamengo’s capture of Lucas Paquetá marked a statement of intent and a reminder of Brazilian football’s growing financial muscle. For West Ham, the deal represents sensible business—recouping value on a player whose career has stalled after off-field turbulence. For Paquetá, it offers a chance at renewal.

Primero: sos un maleducado. Segundo: Lucas Paquetá es jugador de Flamengo. Abrazo grande. pic.twitter.com/0VjGTdqrOO

— Flamengo (@Flamengo_es) January 30, 2026

Manchester City’s sale of Oscar Bobb felt like a reluctant concession. Injuries and new arrivals blocked his pathway, but £27 million plus future clauses is strong value for limited first-team exposure. Fulham, by contrast, are gambling on potential, injecting youth into one of the Premier League’s oldest squads.

Welcome to London’s Original, Oscar Bobb! 🇳🇴

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) January 30, 2026

January also exposed how pressure shapes decision-making. West Ham’s reunion of Adama Traoré with Nuno Espírito Santo smacks of familiarity over imagination, while Aston Villa’s swift move to bring Douglas Luiz back on loan speaks to urgency amid an injury crisis. Luiz’s return feels both practical and symbolic—another homecoming driven as much by financial regulation as football logic.

West Ham United is pleased to confirm the signing of Spain international winger Adama Traoré. 🤝

— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 28, 2026

In Barcelona, the window oscillated between opportunism and compromise. João Cancelo’s loan return adds much-needed flexibility, even if it underlines Saudi clubs’ financial indifference. The temporary departure of Marc-André ter Stegen to Girona, meanwhile, benefits everyone except Barça’s wage bill—but minutes and market value now matter more.

🚨💙❤️ OFFICIAL: João Cancelo, back to Barcelona as exclusive story is now confirmed.

€4m salary coverage to Al Hilal, loan until June. pic.twitter.com/YboEDl4MIP

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 13, 2026

Manchester City’s late swoop for Marc Guéhi was ruthlessly efficient. £20 million plus bonuses is startlingly low for a defender of his calibre, though wages inflate the true cost. For Crystal Palace, losing their captain mid-season is a heavy blow, particularly with European ambitions still alive.

 

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Elsewhere, familiar patterns emerged. Donyell Malen’s swift Premier League exit reflects misalignment more than failure. Conor Gallagher’s return to England highlights Atlético Madrid’s depth and Tottenham’s continued preference for energy over elegance. Antoine Semenyo’s big-money move reinforces the premium now placed on proven Premier League attackers.

 

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And fittingly, January opened with a deal shaped by development rather than dominance. Endrick’s loan to Lyon offers the teenage prodigy what Real Madrid could not: minutes. For Lyon, starved of goals, it is a calculated risk worth taking.

In the end, January 2026 was less about spectacle and more about consequence. Some clubs acted with clarity, others with desperation. Whether these decisions prove inspired or regrettable will be revealed not in headlines but in the months ahead—where seasons, and sometimes careers, are truly decided.

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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.

The World’s Highest-Paid Soccer Players 2025 https://t.co/20jsp6aLxQ

— Forbes (@Forbes) October 16, 2025

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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.

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After joining Al Ittihad during the summer, Karim Benzema stated that he “always wanted” to live in Saudi Arabia.

The famous forward was widely anticipated to sign a one-year agreement with Real Madrid after the 2022–23 season, but he suddenly decided to join Saudi Pro League team Al Ittihad instead, agreeing to a deal for an astounding £172 million annually.

Benzema has made 11 appearances for his new teams so far, scoring six goals in those contests to help the defending champions climb the Saudi Pro League standings.

Speaking to the league’s official media outlets, Benzema spent time explaining why he chose to go to the Middle East, citing his faith as a major motivator.

“Well with everything I’ve made and gained with Real Madrid, I think it was for me the good moment to try a new challenge,” he said. “For a really long time, even before football, I always wanted to come here. Also, it’s a Muslim country. Straight away I felt this love for me. On and off the pitch I feel good.

“This country welcomed me with open arms. I feel the love of the people here so obviously that makes me happy.”

“I really want to help Saudi football grow. [Al Ittihad] was a project that was just starting to burst from everywhere so from my side I wanted to be part of the story. That’s the reason why I came here.”

Benzema also discussed how surprised he’s been by the standard of play in the Saudi Pro League. A huge number of top level players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez have all made the move to the league over the last 12 months, greatly improving the product.

“I’m really surprised and pleased about the level of the game here,” he went on to explain. “Really surprised because in Europe we don’t watch much football from here. Nowadays we are watching more and more because of the big names they signed.”

"I really wanted to be part of the story and to help Saudi football grow" 🎙️@Benzema discusses his move and start to life in the RSL 🇫🇷#yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/67VysqGDMM

— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) October 11, 2023

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The international from England has already scored three goals in his first two games for his new team, sweeping La Liga by storm. Karim Benzema departed Madrid to join Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, and Madrid has not yet found a successor.

Ancelotti has modified his formation this season to use Bellingham as a number 10 directly behind two split strikers in place of a traditional number nine.

Asked about Madrid’s refusal to sign a striker after Benzema’s exit, Ancelotti told Radio Serie A: “We believe that the arrival of Bellingham covers the absence of Karim. [Bellingham] is a serious, mature boy with a lot of quality. What he is doing is not surprising to those of us who know him, what is surprising is that he is only 20 years old.”

The player himself is enjoying his time at Los Blancos as he recently claimed that he is ’10 times better’ at Real Madrid after an apparently acrimonious Borussia Dortmund exit.

On August 25, Ancelotti’s team will play in their next La Liga match against Celta.

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The 20-year-old England international, who cost €103 million (£88 million; $110 million) to move from Borussia Dortmund to the Spanish capital in the summer, has already earned the nickname “blue-eyed boy” among the supporters after scoring three goals in his first two league games.

With his movement in the attacking third, Bellingham has shown to be a challenge for opposing defenders, and his contribution has ensured that Real Madrid is not in goal drought despite the departure of talismanic forward Karim Benzema.

The seasoned midfielder Kroos is ecstatic about Bellingham’s contribution and views him as a “absolute asset” to the team.

“It was indicated in the preparation, where he did really well. He’s integrated surprisingly well in such a short time,” Kroos said on his podcast Einfach mal Luppen. “I have a very good feeling about him because I think he’s incredibly mature for his age – not just mentally, that he’s already very far, but also with the way he plays football. He’s very, very far, doesn’t do hara-kiri things, is always clear in his actions, works, tries to play to his strengths to the full.

“A lot of other people at that age still make a lot of hara-kiri, a lot of technical and tactical mistakes. You don’t see that much with him. So far I have to say that he is already an absolute asset to our game. That means something, because we’re not a completely blind team. The fact that a 20-year-old enriches us right from the start is a good sign.”

It had been reported that Borussia Dortmund players are glad about Bellingham’s exit as the midfielder allegedly always wanted to be the centre of attention. However, Kroos does not agree and instead insists that the squad is “quite happy” with his behaviour.

“I can only give you our perspective. And I can say that we are quite happy that he is here. Should that also be the case in Dortmund: all the better. If not, at least they got good money now,” he said.

Bellingham will try to maintain his strong run of performance as Real Madrid plays Celta Vigo in their upcoming La Liga match on Friday night.

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According to Odion Ighalo, Cristiano Ronaldo relocated to Saudi Arabia not out of a love for the game but merely for financial gain.

Ighalo, who was a player for Al-Hilal, was the best scorer in the Saudi Pro League last season; however, he was dismissed at the conclusion of the season. He now thinks that Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr along with Benzema, is doing the same thing, having travelled to the country solely for a paycheck.

 Ighalo, 34, said to OmaSportsTV: “When you are young, yes, you play for passion. Back then, you don’t care about money. But at my age, I am in the final stretch of my career, I don’t know if it will be one, two years or when God will tell it to stop.

“I know it won’t be more than three years. I’ve played for passion all my life, now it’s for money. I’m not one of those players who come and say: ‘I play for passion’. Brother, it’s money. At the end of the day, it’s money.

“Is Ronaldo still playing out of passion? Ronaldo has earned 100 times more than I have in my entire life and yet he went to Saudi Arabia. Did he do that out of passion? It’s for money, bro.”

This summer, a number of players have relocated to Saudi Arabia, Jordan Henderson being the most recent. During this transfer window, players like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Neves, and Roberto Firmino also arrived in the nation.

With Fabinho said to be moving to Ittihad, the Saudi Pro League influx doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

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Following Lionel Messi’s transfer to Inter Miami, Cristiano Ronaldo asserts that the Saudi Pro League is superior to Major League Soccer and declares he would never play in Europe again.

After his contract with Manchester United expired in December of last year, Ronaldo made the unexpected move to Al-Nassr.

This summer, a number of well-known athletes have moved to Saudi Arabia, including Steven Gerrard, the former captain of Liverpool, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Roberto Firmino.

After choosing to leave Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer earlier this summer, Messi decided to take a different route and was later presented as Inter Miami’s new signing on Sunday evening.

Ronaldo strongly ruled out a return to European football after Al-Nassr were defeated 5-0 by Celta Vigo on Monday night in a preseason friendly and believes several leagues have dropped in quality.

‘No, that door is completely closed,’ Ronaldo told Portuguese media when asked about a potential return to a European club.

‘I’m already 38-and-a-half years old and it’s not worth it.

‘In my way of seeing football, I think Europe has lost a lot of quality. The only league that for me has a lot of quality and is at a higher level than all the others is the Premier League.

‘The Spanish league does not have that great quality. The Portuguese league is a good league, but it is not a top, top league. The German league I think has also lost a lot. I’m sure I won’t play in Europe again. I want to play in Saudi Arabia.

Asked about a possible move to MLS, Ronaldo replied: ‘I think the Saudi league is much better than the United States. My team is Al-Nassr.’

Ronaldo, 38, also believes he has been the catalyst for several other players to make the move from Europe to Saudi Arabia this year.

‘100 per cent. It’s a fact,’ Ronaldo said.

‘It was going to take a year, but it was six months. I was wrong for six months.

‘But I knew this was going to happen because in the Italian league, when I went there, it was also dead and then rejuvenated.

‘Where Cristiano goes, it generates greater interest and I knew it was going to be like that. I’m sure that next season more stars will go there [to Saudi Arabia].’

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Roberto Firmino, who left Liverpool for Al-Alhi on a free transfer, is the newest player to relocate to Saudi Arabia.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Firmino has joined the ranks of other players who have travelled to Saudi Arabia, including Edouard Mendy, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Mendy joined Firmino’s team in 2023–2024 because he transferred from Chelsea to Al-Ahli at the same time.

Bobby Firmino, Al Ahli player ✅🟢🇧🇷 https://t.co/tPgey480uC

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 4, 2023

Firmino played at Liverpool for eight years, making 35 games and scoring 13 goals. He won the Premier League, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup while playing with the Reds.

Firmino will join Al-Ahli as they continue their 2023–24 season preparations.

Official, confirmed. Roberto Firmino joins Al Ahli on free transfer. 🚨🟢🇸🇦

Deal completed on three year contract. pic.twitter.com/MYtygNa5ZR

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 4, 2023

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Zinedine Zidane has revealed which of his former Real Madrid players astounded him above all others.

The former midfielder, who won 17 titles as a player and later served as manager twice for Los Blancos, is unquestionably one of the most well-liked legends in the club’s history.

During his tenure in the Santiago Bernabeu dugout, Zidane oversaw a number of legendary players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale, Vinicius Junior, and Casemiro.

However, he admitted in an interview with Telefoot that Luka Modric was not too far behind Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema as his first choice for a player who gets him out of his seat.

“If there is a player who lifts me out of my chair, that is Karim Benzema. Maybe also Luka Modric, players who, when they have the ball, you think they are going to lose it, but no, they always manage to get away with it,” Zidane said.

During Zidane’s first managerial tenure, Benzema primarily served as a supporter of Ronaldo, frequently selflessly setting up the Portuguese attacker. The Frenchman even finished the 2017–18 La Liga season with just five goals in 32 games.

By the time Zidane made his second appearance in Real Madrid in March 2019, Benzema had accepted the responsibility of being the team’s primary goal scorer. In 2022, a year after Zidane left once more, he eventually guided Los Blancos to their 14th Champions League championship.

The 51-year-old, who has been out of work for the past two years, acknowledged that he misses the routine of managing a football team.

“Do I miss the adrenaline of training at the highest level? Yes of course. When you’re away, you see it differently. I haven’t had it for two years, but it will come,” he added.

When asked if he would work in France – either for the national team or PSG – Zidane replied: “You can’t deny anything. I know what I want and what I don’t want. If I have decided to take a break, it is because I should have. I hope I can tell myself that soon I will be able to return to training.”

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Although Nacho’s previous contract was set to expire this summer, he announced earlier this month that he had decided to stay in Madrid for an additional 12 months.

Nacho has been designated the new team captain, replacing Karim Benzema, who left Real Madrid earlier this summer to join Al Ittihad, now that his contract is final, according to Real Madrid.

Nacho has also extended his contract by one year, joining Toni Kroos as the midfield captain.

At the age of 11, Nacho enrolled in the Real Madrid academy. Since then, he has made 319 appearances for the senior team and has won no fewer than 23 titles throughout his 22 years at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 33-year-old has not always been a starter during his time at the club but has willingly filled in anywhere across the backline, proving to be a reliable option at times of crisis and offering some veteran leadership in the dressing room.

“I see him every day, and I understand his discomfort at not playing, and he’s gone through moments where he was not happy,” manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed earlier this season. But he’s not complained, he continued to suffer, and show professionalism.

“When I have needed him, he’s been ready. I’m not here to make friends, but for Real Madrid to win.”

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Following an eight-year run with Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich, where he scored 344 goals in 375 games in all competitions and won the UEFA Champions League, Lewandowski joined Barça in the summer 2022 transfer window.

The Polish forward has maintained his excellent goal-scoring record at Barça, scoring 23 La Liga goals in his first Camp Nou season to help the team win its first league title in four years.

When asked about his future plans by Mundo Deportivo, Lewandowski revealed that he would retire soon and that he may stay with Barcelona until he decides to hang up his boots.

“My retirement? It’s close. It is very possible that I will finish my career in Barcelona, where I and my family feel very comfortable. I felt I scored five or six goals less because I had to do other things. My role was important not only on the pitch but also off it, I had to fit in a new role,” he said.

“Only after my contract ends, I will start asking myself if I want to keep playing.”

Lewandowski is one of many well-known athletes who have recently been mentioned in connection with a high-profile transfer to the Saudi Pro League. Recently, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante all relocated to the Middle East, while Lionel Messi declined an offer from Al Hilal for more than €400 million per season in favor of playing in the MLS.

When asked about links to Saudi Arabian clubs, Lewandowski stated he had ‘other priorities’.

“Today I am happy in Barcelona. I feel like I’m at a club that suits me. So I want to fulfil my contract there,” he added.

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