From Goals to Gold: Football’s Richest Superstars in 2025
The American business magazine has released its annual report of the world’s 10 highest-paid soccer players for 2025. It’s time to talk about money and legacy because in 2025, it was not just all about goals but also gold.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Still the King of Cash
If you had a dollar for every year Cristiano Ronaldo has been in the conversation for highest-paid footballer in the world… well, you’d be him. Seriously. The man just keeps going.
In 2025, Ronaldo tops the earnings charts with a breathtaking ~$280 million. Yes, billionaire-adjacent. Most of that comes from his massive contract at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where football money flows like… well, a lot of money. But it’s not just wages: he has business ventures, CR7 brands, hotels, fitness chains, ultra-lux watches, and a gigantic social media footprint that keeps the cash rolling in even on days he doesn’t kick a ball.
Let that sink in. At 40 years old and still topping the board. Wild.
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Lionel Messi: The Maestro of Money Too
Right behind Ronaldo and with an almost poetic story is Lionel Messi. In 2025, his total earnings are an eye-popping ~$130 million. And get this: most of that isn’t even from his club salary. A big chunk comes from endorsements with Adidas, Mastercard, Lay’s, and business ventures (he even launched a sports drink and has hospitality interests).
Messi’s in Inter Miami, but even beyond the MLS pitch, he’s a marketing force. It’s like everywhere Messi goes, brands follow.
You could almost say he’s playing chess off the field while most players are playing checkers.
Karim Benzema: Championing Saudi Cash Too
Next up? Karim Benzema, another veteran with serious earning power. In 202,5, he clocks in around $104 million, thanks to a lucrative stint with Al-Ittihad.
This is where Saudi clubs have made their mark: bringing seasoned stars in, paying enormous contracts, and shifting global attention. Benzema is proof that when you’ve won at the highest level (Champions League, La Liga, Ballon d’Or), the money follows, no questions asked.
Kylian Mbappé: Youth Meets Wealth
Here’s the younger superstar in the room: Kylian Mbappé. He’s not ancient like CR7 or Messi (though we love them). Nope. He’s in his mid-20s and already pulling in elite cash, somewhere around $90–$95 million in total earnings.
And here’s the twist: Mbappé’s still in a league where performance matters first, and paycheck second. That balance makes his rise feel earned. His Real Madrid contract and endorsements make him one of the few in this era who could realistically challenge those ancient legends for legacy and money.
Erling Haaland: The Money Machine (on-field too)
Erling Haaland, that unstoppable Norwegian force. In 20,25, he’s earning around $80 million.
That might sound smaller compared to Messi’s and Ronaldo’s, but we need to understand that he’s younger, at the peak of his powers, and probably earning more on the pitch than many legends did. And since sponsorships and branding are starting to catch up to his performance level, that number will keep climbing.
Vinícius Jr.: The Brazilian Dream
Ever watched someone glide past defenders and rake in big money? That’s Vinícius Jr., Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger. He’s in the $60 million-plus club, which is remarkable for his age and role.
It’s a mix of club salary and endorsements. And the fact that someone is still climbing his career curve this high on the financial table shows how the sport is evolving.
Mohamed Salah: Still Earning Big in 2025
For the Liverpool faithful, this one hits home. Mohamed Salah, one of the Premier League’s most beloved figures, is pulling in around $55–$75 million.
He’s proof that consistency, season after season, pays off. Literally.
Others in the Top 10
The list doesn’t stop there, and here’s where it gets fun, because you start to see names that feel like the next generation as well as the trusty elite:
- Sadio Mané — another Saudi star climbing the ranks.
- Jude Bellingham — young, world-class, and on track for massive future money.
- Lamine Yamal — yes, that young Barcelona prodigy broke into the list. An 18-year-old making around ~$43 million? Absolutely insane
These figures include salaries, bonuses, endorsements, and business ventures. A footballer’s earning potential isn’t just from playing anym, it’s from what they represent off the pitch, too.
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So What Does This All Mean?
This isn’t just about huge numbers (though, wow). It’s about how football, the sport we grew up watching in dusty yards and rain-soaked pitches, has become a global economic machine. Contracts once measured in millions are now in multiples of tens and even hundreds of millions.
And look: that’s not all sunshine and rainbows. You’ll hear fans grumble about “money ruining the sport.” Some will argue that players deserve millions, while teachers and nurses don’t. And yeah — that’s a real conversation worth having. But from a pure industry standpoint? Football has become a global cultural phenomenon that pays accordingly.
Final Thought
In 2025, the highest-paid footballers aren’t just athletes. They’re global icons.
They’re marketers.
They’re brands.
They’re kind of like walking businesses with exceptional dribbling skills.
