Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr’s Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list of the world’s highest-paid footballers in 2025, earning a staggering $280 million, according to Forbes. Once again, Ronaldo claimed the top position by a wide margin, reinforcing his status not only as a football icon but also as a global business brand.

Forbes’ annual ranking revealed a geographically diverse top 10 list, featuring four players from Spain, three from Saudi Arabia, two from England, and one from the United States. The data highlights how elite football earnings are now spread across multiple leagues, driven by commercial power as much as on-field success.

At the age of 40, Cristiano Ronaldo earned more than double the income of his closest rival, Lionel Messi, in 2025. Ronaldo continues to expand his personal brand CR7, surpassing one billion followers across all social media platforms. His business ventures in hospitality and fashion generated $50 million annually, while his contract with Al Nassr alone brought in an extraordinary $230 million for a single year.

Argentine legend Lionel Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami, ranked second with total earnings of $130 million. Messi stood out as the top earner off the pitch, making $70 million through brand partnerships and personal companies. With more than 500 million Instagram followers, the 38-year-old earned an additional $60 million in salary from Inter Miami.

French striker Karim Benzema finished third on the list after continuing his career in Saudi Arabia. Benzema, who joined Al Ittihad in 2023, earned $100 million in salary, and with off-field income included, his total earnings for 2025 reached $104 million. The move once again proved highly lucrative for veteran stars heading to the Saudi Pro League.

Real Madrid’s French forward Kylian Mbappe placed fourth with total earnings of $95 million. The 27-year-old earned $25 million through brand partnerships, while his football income stood at $70 million. In addition, Mbappé is expected to receive €61 million in compensation after winning a legal case against former club Paris Saint-Germain over unpaid wages and bonuses.

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland rounded out the top five with earnings of $80 million in 2025. The Manchester City star earned $60 million from his club and an additional $20 million through sponsorships, continuing to grow his commercial profile alongside his on-field achievements.

The full list of the 10 highest-paid footballers of 2025 is as follows:

Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) — $280 million

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) — $130 million

Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad) — $104 million

Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) — $95 million

Erling Haaland (Manchester City) — $80 million

Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) — $60 million

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) — $55 million

Sadio Mane (Al Nassr) — $54 million

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) — $44 million

Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) — $43 million