Cristiano Ronaldo Is the Richest Footballer in the World — Here’s Who Else Made the Top 10

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again proven that he’s not just a football legend, but also the richest footballer in the world. According to the latest Forbes ranking of the highest-paid soccer players in 2025, the Al-Nassr superstar tops the list with a staggering $280 million in total annual income.

Forbes’ calculations include both on-field earnings (club salaries, bonuses) and off-field revenue, such as sponsorships, endorsements, and business ventures.

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💰 The 10 Highest-Paid Footballers in the World (2025)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr) – $280 million (salary: $230M + endorsements: $50M)

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – $130 million ($60M + $70M) — playing at Chase Stadium

Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad) – $104 million ($100M + $4M)

Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain) – $95 million ($70M + $25M)

Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – $80 million ($60M + $20M)

Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) – $60 million ($40M + $20M)

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – $55 million ($35M + $20M)

Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr) – $54 million ($50M + $4M)

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – $44 million ($29M + $15M)

Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona) – $43 million ($33M + $10M)

Explore more stadiums and venues on our MLS hub or find a soccer field near me to train like your heroes.

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🌟 Rising Star: Lamine Yamal Enters the Forbes Top 10

For the first time ever, Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal appears among the world’s top-earning footballers. At just 17, he’s already signed major sponsorship deals that rival those of global icons — a sign of his rapidly growing brand value and market appeal. See our Yamal AI page or check related La Liga stadiums and stars.

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⚽ Who Dropped Out?

Two big names fell out of the top 10 this year:

• Neymar Jr., who terminated his contract with Al-Ahli and returned to Santos FC in Brazil — explore our Neymar AI.
• Kevin De Bruyne, who became a free agent and signed with Napoli on lower terms.

For transfer updates, browse our latest soccer news or compare top venues at our MLS stadiums guide.

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🏆 Summary: Ronaldo Still Reigns Supreme

Even at 40, Cristiano Ronaldo’s global influence shows no sign of fading. His unmatched commercial power and relentless fitness keep him far ahead of younger stars like Mbappé, Haaland, and Bellingham — proving that on and off the pitch, CR7 remains football’s ultimate brand.

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