Ronaldo Highest-Paid Footballer in 2025 at $280 Million

Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid footballer in the world for 2025, earning an estimated $280 million, according to an annual ranking of player earnings published this week. The 40-year-old forward’s total, driven largely by his contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and commercial deals, tops the list for the sixth time in the past decade and is more than double the earnings of second-placed Lionel Messi, who is estimated to make $130 million playing for Inter Miami and from endorsements.

The ranking, which combines on-field compensation such as salaries, bonuses and image-rights payments with off-field income from endorsements and licensing, places French striker Karim Benzema third on $104 million, followed by Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé on $95 million and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland on $80 million. The full top 10 also includes Vinícius Júnior ($60 million), Mohamed Salah ($55 million), Sadio Mané ($54 million), Jude Bellingham ($44 million) and 18-year-old Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal ($43 million). The ten players are projected to earn roughly $945 million combined in the 2025 season.

Ronaldo’s package is heavily weighted toward his Al Nassr salary, with...