Forbes magazine has revealed the 10 highest-paid players in the world of football for 2025. It was no surprise that Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list, but what was surprising was the gap between him and the second-place finisher, Argentine legend Lionel Messi, who plays for Inter Miami.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr for free in the winter of 2023, and while he has yet to win any official team titles with the Saudi club, he remains a prominent figure in the massive revolution that Saudi football has witnessed over the past three years.
According to Forbes, Ronaldo earns $230 million annually with Al-Nassr, in addition to another $50 million in advertising and sponsorships, bringing his total salary and annual income to $280 million, making him the highest-paid player in the history of football.
In second place is Lionel Messi, with the difference in salary being almost double that of Ronaldo, as the Flea earns a total of $130 million between his salary with Inter Miami and various advertising contracts.
Egyptian star Mohamed Salah also appeared on the list, specifically in seventh place, with the Liverpool star’s annual income reaching $55 million. The list was dominated by stars from the Spanish league in particular, and to a lesser extent, the English and Saudi leagues.
Despite his recent arrival, Lamine Yamal also made the list. The 18-year-old earns €43 million thanks to his new contract with Barcelona and his latest sponsorship deal with a clothing company.
Ronaldo is the first player in football history to surpass the billion-dollar mark, thanks to his investments in various sectors such as real estate, tourist hotels, clothing, and perfumes. However, the $280 million is his income from football alone.
Top 10 Highest-Paid Players in 2025
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $280 million
2. Lionel Messi – $130 million
3. Karim Benzema – $104 million
4. Kylian Mbappé – $95 million
5. Erling Haaland – $80 million
6. Vinicius Junior – $60 million
7. Mohamed Salah – $55 million
8. Jude Bellingham – $44 million
9. Lamine Yamal – $43 million
