Despite being one of the greatest footballers in history, Lionel Messi no longer tops the list of highest-paid footballers in 2024. Although he turned down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia to play for Inter Miami, Messi still earns an impressive $65 million annually from his on-field activities, equivalent to £48.3 million, according to Statista.
However, four footballers now surpass Messi’s earnings, excluding any off-field income like sponsorships:
4: Neymar
Neymar signed with Al Hilal in 2023 on a two-year deal worth $80 million (£61.3 million) annually. Though he has only played five times for the club due to an ACL injury, Neymar remains one of the highest-paid footballers on the planet.
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3: Kylian Mbappe
After his long-anticipated free transfer to Real Madrid in 2024, Mbappe now earns $90 million (£69 million) annually. His weekly earnings are over £1 million, making him one of the highest-paid footballers in the world. Notably, he turned down a mind-boggling €700 million offer for one season with Al Hilal.
2: Karim Benzema
After leaving Real Madrid in 2023, Benzema joined Al Ittihad, securing a three-year deal worth $100 million (£76.6 million) annually. Last season, he made 29 appearances and netted 13 goals, but he’s off to a stronger start this year with seven goals in six games.
1: Cristiano Ronaldo
The highest earner, Ronaldo’s groundbreaking move to Al Nassr in 2022 opened the door for other big names to follow him to Saudi Arabia. He earns a staggering $200 million (£153.3 million) annually under his contract, which runs until 2025.
