Some soccer players earn extraordinary salaries that can reach into hundreds of millions of dollars. Forbes releases an annual list of the world's highest-paid athletes, revealing just how much the biggest stars are truly earning.
From May 1, 2025 to May 1, 2026, here are the seven highest-paid players in world soccer, including how much they make and where their fortunes come from.
How Do Soccer Players' Earnings Compare to Other Sports?
Soccer is one of the most lucrative sports on the planet, but it faces stiff competition. According to Forbes' list of the world's 50 highest-paid athletes, seven are soccer players.
That is two fewer than the number of NFL players on the list—and significantly fewer than basketball, which boasts 19 athletes in the top 50, more than any other sport. Tennis players, Formula 1 drivers, baseball stars, golfers and boxers also feature heavily among the world's highest earners.
However, two of the top three highest-paid athletes in the world are soccer players.
Highest Paid Soccer Players — Ranked
6. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
Total Earnings: $60 million
Most of Vinicius Junior's earnings came from his contract at Real Madrid, worth around $40 million in wages and bonuses. The rest came from sponsorship deals with brands including Gatorade, Luxottica Group, Marriott International, Nike, Pepsi, Unilever and Visa.
5. Erling Haaland (Man City)
Total Earnings: $80 million
Erling Haaland is the fifth-highest-paid soccer player in the world and the top earner in the Premier League. He earned $80 million, with around $60 million coming from his Manchester City contract. The remainder came from endorsement deals with brands including Beats by Dre, Breitling, Dolce & Gabbana, Electronic Arts, Marriott International, Midea, Nike, Supercell, Unilever and Visa.
4. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
Total Earnings: $95 million
Kylian Mbappé stands out as the top earner in Europe. Around $70 million came from his contract at Real Madrid, with the remaining $25 million generated through endorsement deals with brands including Dior, Electronic Arts, Hublot, Nike, Oakley and Sorare.
3. Karim Benzema (Al Hilal)
Total Earnings: $104 million
A surprise entry at number three, veteran striker Karim Benzema broke nine digits. Around $100 million came from his contract with Al Hilal, while the remainder was thanks to endorsement deals, mostly through his partnership with adidas.
2. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Total Earnings: $140 million
Coming in second, Lionel Messi is the third-highest-paid athlete across all sports. The World Cup winner's income was split roughly evenly between his contract with Inter Miami and his off-field earnings.
Messi's endorsement portfolio includes long-standing deals with adidas, PepsiCo, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Apple, Beats by Dre, Epic Games, Hard Rock Cafe, Lowe's, Mastercard and Panini. He also owns a clothing line, beverage brand and hotel chain.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
Total Earnings: $300 million
Cristiano Ronaldo is not only the highest-paid soccer player in the world, but the highest-paid athlete across all sports. His earnings came primarily from his contract with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.