Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has edged arch-rival Lionel Messi to emerge as the highest-paid footballer in 2024. As per the latest report by Forbes, Cristiano Ronaldo, who now plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr, registered a total earnings of $285 million, which was $150 million more than what Argentina’s Lionel Messi earned $135 million.
According to Forbes, former Barcelona star Messi earned $135 million. The interesting bit, however, is the difference in salaries and off-field incomes. Ronaldo’s world-record deal with Al-Nassr plays a big role in making him the highest-paid footballer in the world. Ronaldo has a $220 million per season contract with the Saudi Pro League club, while he made $65 million from off-field deals.
Neymar third on the list of highest paid footballer
Neymar is third on the list despite not playing football since last October due to an ACL injury. He overall made $110 million with $80 million coming from his salary with AL-Hilal. His contract, however, is due to end in 2025. More players from the Saudi Pro League dominate the list of the highest money-making footballers.
A former teammate of Ronaldo at Real Madrid, Al-Ittihad’s Karim Benzema is fourth on the list with an income of $104 million. Only $4 million of it came from off-field deals.
Kylian Mbappe who once turned down a lucrative deal to come to Saudi Arabia is fifth on the list. The France captain earned $90 million with $70 million being his salary. The 25-year-old forward also made $20 million from off-field deals.
Highest paid footballer list 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr, Portugal): USD 285 million (220 million on field and 65 million off field)
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina): USD 135 million (60 million on field and 75 million off field)
Neymar (Al Hilal, Brazil): USD 110 million (80 million on field and 30 million off field)
Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad, France): USD 104 million (100 million on field and 4 million off field)
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, France): USD 90 million (70 million on field and 20 million off field)
Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway): USD 60 million (46 million on field and 14 million off field)
Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid, Brazil): USD 55 million (40 million on field and 15 million off field)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt): USD 53 million (35 million on field and 18 million off field)
Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr, Senegal): USD 52 million (48 million on field and 4 million off field)
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium): USD 39 million (35 million on field and 4 million off field)
