In this blog post, we will be looking at the top 10 highest-paid footballers in the world in 2025. This list is based on a combination of factors such as yearly salary, endorsement deals, and bonuses. With that said, let’s take a look at the top 10 highest-paid footballers in the world in 2022.
10. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City): $29 million
De Bruyne is one of the most marketable footballers in the world. He has 11 brand deals, including Nike, Wow Hydrate, Credit Karma, and Therabody. His father led the negotiations that yielded his latest contract with Manchester City, employing the help of data firm Analytics FC.
9. Andrés Iniesta (Vissel Kobe): $30 million
Iniesta has just announced his own sportswear brand, Capitan. This new brand is aimed specifically at the Japanese market, and Iniesta himself will appear in an upcoming documentary about the FIFA World Cup.
8. Eden Hazard (Real Madrid): $31 million
Hazard’s disappointing tenure with Real Madrid—six goals in 72 La Liga and Champions League matches spread over four seasons—has fueled constant rumors of a return to Chelsea. The 31-year-old previously appeared on the cover of EA Sports FIFA 20 video game.
Chelsea fans are hopeful that he will return to Stamford Bridge, where he has always been a fan favorite. Hazard has said that he will make a decision on his future after the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.
7. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona): $37 million
Lewandowski is a goal scorer and has been making headlines for his skills on the pitch. He’s endorsed by Nike and has his own clothing line, which he ended a long-term deal with Huawei over reports that the company was supportive of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
6. Erling Haaland (Manchester City): $39 million
The rising soccer star Erling Haaland has some impressive sponsorships. His endorsement deals with Hyperice, Samsung, and Viaplay are reportedly worth $4 million annually. However, his next sponsorship deal could be even more lucrative. Some sources say he could earn as much as $18 million a year from his new shoe sponsor. That would more than triple his current income from endorsements! Haaland’s old Nike contract expired this year, so he’s likely in the market for a new sponsor. With his impressive skills on the field, it’s easy to see why companies are lining up to work with him.
5. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): $53 million
Salah had a great season, almost delivering Liverpool the Premier League title on the last day. He was named England’s Men’s Footballer of the Year and Playmaker of the Season and also received the league’s Golden Boot Award. In July, he signed a three-year extension to stay with Liverpool through 2025. He remains one of Adidas’ biggest global stars.
4. Neymar (PSG): $87 million
Neymar is a superstar. In 2017, he made history with a record $263 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. In May 2021, he re-upped through 2025 and helped convince Messi to come aboard later that year. Neymar continues to excel as a pitchman, adding Ooredoo Group as a sponsor in advance of the World Cup.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus): $101 million
Ronaldo is a top soccer player, but he’s not just great on the field. He’s also amazing off of it, thanks to sponsorships from companies like Nike, Herbalife, and Livescore. In fact, Ronaldo is so successful that he may be looking for a new home during the January transfer window so he can return to Champions League play (Manchester United didn’t make the cut this year). And if that wasn’t impressive enough, Ronaldo has an astounding 486 million followers on Instagram.
2. Lionel Messi (Barcelona): $120 million
Messi is already a king’s ransom on the pitch, but industry experts suggest that figure could grow by as much as 20% if he leads Argentina to a World Cup victory in November. (The nation is tied for the third-best odds right now.) Either way, the 35-year-old star has publicly said Qatar 2022 will “surely” be his final World Cup. He’s also rumored to be considering a return to FC Barcelona, where he spent the first 17 years of his senior career, in 2023.
1. Kylian Mbappe (PSG): $128 million
Who Is Highest-Paid Footballer 2025? Mbappé is a powerful player and is not afraid to use his influence. Recently, he refused to participate in a photoshoot and other sponsor activities in protest of the French national team’s image rights agreement with its players. The French Football Federation has announced it will review the matter. Mbappé is definitely someone to watch!
Is Mbappe richer than Ronaldo?
As of 2025, Kylian Mbappe is the world’s second-richest footballer, with an estimated net worth of $180 million. According to Forbes, this puts him behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, who is worth a whopping $500 million. However, it’s important to remember that Mbappé is still only 22 years old. So, there’s a good chance that he could overtake Ronaldo as the richest footballer in the world.
Conclusion
As you can see, the top 10 highest-paid footballers in the world in 2025 are all earning over $27 million per year. The highest-paid footballer in the world is Kylian Mbappe, who earns a staggering $128 million per year. This list will change in the coming years as new contracts are signed, and deals are made. However, for now, these are the top 10 highest-paid footballers in the world. Thanks for reading!
