Cristiano Ronaldo continues to set records both on and off the field, earning more than any other footballer over the past year. According to Forbes, the Portuguese superstar raked in an astonishing £218 million in the last 12 months, dwarfing the earnings of his longtime rival, Lionel Messi.
At 39, Ronaldo is proving that age is just a number. A substantial portion of his income, £168 million, came from his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, while the remaining £50 million was earned through lucrative sponsorship deals. This impressive financial haul has allowed Ronaldo to top the Forbes list of highest-paid footballers for the sixth time in the past decade.
With Ronaldo tied to Al Nassr until at least next summer, many believe that he is well-positioned to maintain his top spot again next year. The sums being offered in Saudi Arabia are simply unmatched, and Ronaldo’s ability to consistently command such high earnings has solidified his place as one of football’s most marketable athletes.
Despite his global fame and recent move to Inter Miami, Lionel Messi’s earnings over the past year were significantly lower than Ronaldo’s. The Argentine icon made £103 million during the same period. While Messi outperformed Ronaldo in off-field earnings with £57 million from endorsements, his £46 million earnings from playing at Inter Miami paled in comparison to Ronaldo’s Saudi deal.
The earnings gap between the two football giants highlights the financial power that Saudi Arabian clubs are wielding in the global football market. Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr has proven to be a game-changer, allowing him to far exceed the earnings of other top players, including Messi.
Brazilian superstar Neymar also made the top of the list, coming in third after earning £84 million last year. Despite struggling with injuries during his time at Al Hilal, Neymar still managed to earn £62 million from his club contract and an additional £23 million from sponsorship deals.
Karim Benzema, another big name in Saudi Arabian football, ranked fourth on the list with £80 million in earnings. The former Real Madrid forward’s move to Al Ittihad allowed him to secure a lucrative contract that significantly boosted his income.
Rounding out the top five is French star Kylian Mbappé, who earned £69 million following his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid. Mbappé’s financial success is expected to grow, as he is poised to secure even more lucrative deals in the coming years.
| Player | Club | Earnings (£m) |
|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Al Nassr | 218 |
| Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | 103 |
| Neymar | Al Hilal | 85 |
| Karim Benzema | Al Ittihad | 80 |
| Kylian Mbappe | Real Madrid | 69 |
| Erling Haaland | Man City | 46 |
| Vinicius Jr | Real Madrid | 42 |
| Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | 41 |
| Sadio Mane | Al Nassr | 40 |
| Kevin De Bruyne | Man City | 30 |
Other notable players making the top 10 include Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who earned £46 million, and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, with £41 million. Haaland, still early in his career, is likely to see his earnings rise next year as he eyes a potential new contract with Manchester City.
Vinicius Jr and Sadio Mane also made the list, continuing to establish themselves among football’s highest earners. Mane’s move to Al Nassr has further strengthened the trend of Saudi Arabian clubs attracting top-tier players with massive paychecks.
Ronaldo’s record-breaking earnings underscore the growing financial influence of Saudi Arabia in world football. The country’s willingness to offer astronomical sums to attract the sport’s biggest names is reshaping the global football landscape. Players like Ronaldo, Neymar, and Benzema have all benefitted from these lucrative deals, setting new benchmarks for footballer earnings.
As the world’s highest-paid footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo remains a dominant force both on and off the pitch. His unmatched financial success is a testament to his enduring appeal, skill, and marketability. With the backing of Saudi clubs, Ronaldo’s reign at the top of football’s financial hierarchy is likely to continue for years to come, leaving fans and rivals in awe of his achievements.