The recent major investments made by the Saudi Arabian Pro League in football have led to a major change in the list of the highest-earning football players. Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo once again took the top spot as the highest-paid player in world football with 263 million euros earned throughout 2024. Ronaldo, who is at the top of the “World’s Highest-Paid Football Players” list published every year by Forbes magazine, earned a large income with the salary he received from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr club.
203 million euros of the 263 million euros Ronaldo earns throughout 2024 comes from his salary at Al Nassr. The remaining 60 million euros were obtained from sponsorship agreements and social media revenues. Ronaldo’s newly opened YouTube channel attracted attention by breaking the record for the fastest channel to reach one million subscribers.
Second on the list is Lionel Messi, who plays for Inter Miami. While Messi earned 69 million euros from sponsorship and other income sources in 2024, his salary on the field remained at 55.2 million euros. Although Ronaldo’s off-field earnings were lower than Messi’s, the pay gap put him at the top of the list.
The influence of Saudi Arabian clubs on football was clearly seen in this year’s list of the highest-paid football players. Four of the players in the top 10 receive high salaries from clubs in the Middle East. Neymar ranked third with an income of 101.2 million euros, thanks to the salary he received from Al Hilal. Former Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema rose to fourth place, leaving Kylian Mbappé behind with the 96 million euros he earned in Al Ittihad. Mbappé will earn 83 million euros this year as he suffered a reduction in salary when moving from PSG to Real Madrid.
Manchester City’s Norwegian striker Erling Haaland ranks 6th on the list of the highest-paid football players. Haaland earned a total of $60 million in 2024. Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior is in 7th place, earning $55 million with his success and sponsorship agreements at Real Madrid. Liverpool’s Egyptian star Mohamed Salah ranks 8th with $53 million, including sponsorships and salary. Sadio Mané, who was transferred to Saudi Arabia, ranks 9th with 52 million dollars with the salary and other income he earned in Al-Nassr. Manchester City’s Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne is ranked 10th on the list, with earnings of 39 million dollars.
Saudi Pro League: Ronaldo Reigns, Messi’s Descent, and the Middle Eastern Football Gold Rush
Well, well, well! If it isn’t our old friend Cristiano Ronaldo, back at the top and this time with a wallet that could rival a small country’s GDP. Thanks to the wave of investment from the Saudi Arabian Pro League, Ronaldo has not only regained his crown as the highest-paid player in world football but has done so with a staggering 263 million euros earned throughout 2024. Who knew goalposts came with gold-plated nets?
Ronaldo’s Earnings Breakdown: Cashing in and Cashing Out
Let’s break this down: 203 million euros of his earnings come straight from his paycheck at Al-Nassr, while the remaining 60 million euros seeps in from sponsorships and that oh-so-buzzy social media presence. Oh, and did I mention? His YouTube channel broke a record for the fastest time to hit one million subscribers! It seems the only thing scoring faster than his goals is his subscriber count.
Messi: The Close Second, But Not in Cash Count
Hot on his heels is none other than Lionel Messi, over at Inter Miami. It’s almost like a scene from a buddy cop movie: two legends, a little rivalry, and they find themselves on different sides of the financial spectrum. Messi’s total earnings stand at 124 million euros, composed of 55.2 million euros from his salary and a hefty 69 million euros from sponsorship deals. Impressive, sure—but it only highlights how this dynamic duo’s fortunes have diverged like a poorly timed overhead kick! The irony? Despite having higher off-field earnings, it looks like Messi will have to settle for silver this year.
The Saudi Football Revolution: What a Show!
If you thought Ronaldo and Messi were the only players attracting attention, think again! The influence of Saudi Arabian clubs is palpable, as four of the top ten earners this year find themselves swimming in the riches of the Middle East. Neymar is raking in 101.2 million euros at Al Hilal, while Karim Benzema, formerly of Real Madrid fame, takes home a tidy sum of 96 million euros with Al Ittihad. Kylian Mbappé? Poor lad’s apparently just playing the waiting game now, only managing to snag 83 million euros despite going from PSG to Real Madrid. I mean, who knew football could feel like a game of musical chairs?
The Rest of the League: A Potpourri of Talent
Coming in at 6th place, we have Manchester City’s very own Erling Haaland, pocketing a respectable $60 million in 2024. Following closely is Brazilian firecracker Vinícius Júnior, earning $55 million. It seems Liverpool’s Egyptian hero, Mohamed Salah, isn’t just about dazzling footwork anymore; his earnings total $53 million, showing that a good show on the pitch can lead to a presentable bank balance. And how could we forget Sadio Mané? He’s just squeezed into the top 10 at 9th place with an income of $52 million from Al-Nassr. Now there’s a real rags-to-riches story, no tennis elbow or golf clubs needed!
Conclusion: The Football Landscape is Changing
As we gaze into this glittering, money-fuelled future of football, it’s hard not to chuckle just a bit. Saudi Arabia has swooped in with the cash like a kid in a candy store, and it’s clear that the footballing world may never be the same again. Perhaps next year, we might see an entirely new ranking system—one that includes sponsorship deals, TikTok likes, and the ever-important “who bought the most mansions this year” category. Who knows? Anything is possible when you’re juggling footballs and billion-dollar sums!
