Portugal football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been named the world’s highest-paid footballer by Forbes for the 2025-26 season, marking the sixth time in the last decade he has claimed the top spot. The Al Nassr forward continues to dominate both on and off the pitch, reinforcing his status as one of the sport’s most marketable and influential figures.
Ronaldo’s Record Earnings and Global Impact
According to Forbes, Ronaldo will earn an estimated $280 million this season combining on-field wages and off-field endorsements more than double the $130 million earned by his long-time rival, Lionel Messi, who ranks second. The 40-year-old’s continued dominance comes just a week after Bloomberg revealed that he had officially become football’s first billionaire.
French striker Karim Benzema of Al Ittihad ranks third with $104 million, while another Saudi-based player, Senegal’s Sadio Mane of Al Nassr, sits in eighth with $54 million.
Although Saudi Arabia’s influence on football wealth remains significant, the number of Saudi Pro League players in the top 10 has dropped by one compared to last year, following Neymar’s January move from Al Hilal back to Brazil’s Santos. Neymar, who earned $110 million last season, now makes about $38 million annually, primarily from endorsements.
European Leagues Still Dominate
Despite the massive spending power of the Saudi clubs, Europe’s top leagues continue to feature prominently in the earnings chart. Spain’s La Liga leads the way, with four representatives Kylian Mbappe (4th), Vinicius Jr (6th), and Jude Bellingham (9th) from Real Madrid, alongside Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal (10th) with $43 million.
England’s Premier League contributes two stars: Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (5th) and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (7th).
Forbes estimated that the combined earnings of the world’s ten highest-paid footballers will reach a staggering $945 million during the 2025-26 campaign, underscoring the growing commercial appeal of top-tier footballers worldwide.
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