According to Forbes, Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid football player in the world in 2023, having made more money in the last 12 months than players like Lionel Messi and Neymar.
With estimated total earnings of $260 million, Ronaldo, who Forbes also lists as the highest-paid athlete of any sport, topped the list.
The Portugal forward signed a $200 million contract with Al Nassr, a Saudi Arabian team, after leaving Manchester United in January. According to Forbes, the forward’s endorsement portfolio, which includes brands like Nike and Jacob & Co., is believed to be worth $60 million yearly.
Due to his transfer to the MLS team Inter Miami, Lionel Messi was rated second on the list with projected total earnings of $135 million.
For the first time since David Beckham in 2012, Messi is an MLS player that is ranked in the top 10.
With a total salary of $112 million, Brazilian forward Neymar completes the top three after joining Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League in August.
Four players from the Saudi Pro League—Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mané—are among the top 11 earners in the world according to Forbes, demonstrating the league’s importance.
The $995 million that all 11 players on the rich list have made combined is more than half of what the four Saudi Pro League players make altogether, according to Forbes.
With a total earnings of $110 million, Kylian Mbappé emerges in second place, only behind his former teammate Neymar of Paris Saint-Germain.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City was the highest paid player in the Premier League, earning more overall each year than Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and colleague Kevin De Bruyne combined.
According to Forbes, its numbers for on-field earnings encompass all prize money, salary, and bonuses obtained during the previous year, but its estimates for off-field earnings are based on sponsorship agreements, appearance fees, revenue from licensing, and cash returns from their enterprises.
Forbes’ 2023 List of the Top 11 Paid Football Players
- The $260 million Cristiano Ronaldo
- $135 million Lionel Messi
- Neymar (112,2 million dollars)
- Kylian Mbappé (€110 million)
- Karim Benzema (acquisition cost: $106 million)
- Erling Haaland ($58 million).
- Mohamed Salah (€53 million)
- $82 million Sadio Mané
- The 39-million-dollar Kevin De Bruyne
- Harry Kane, who costs $36 million.
- Lewandowski Robert ($34 million)
