31.12.2025 22:40
The highest-earning football player of 2025 has been revealed. Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr, topped the list of the highest-earning football players in 2025 with an income of 280 million dollars. Messi earned 130 million, Benzema 104 million, Mbappe 95 million, and Haaland 80 million dollars, securing their places in the top 5.
Saudi Arabian team Al Nassr's Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list of the highest-earning football players of 2025 with an income of 280 million dollars.
THE HIGHEST EARNING FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF 2025
In a report prepared by AA on the prominent topics in sports for 2025, the highest-earning football players of the year were discussed. According to Forbes' list, 4 players from Spain, 3 from Saudi Arabia, 2 from England, and 1 from the USA made it to the top 10 highest-earning football players of 2025.
THE TOP SPOT BELONGS TO CRISTIANO RONALDO
Ronaldo earned more than double the income of his closest competitor Lionel Messi in 2025. The 40-year-old Ronaldo, who continues to grow his brand CR7, surpassed one billion followers across all social media platforms. With his ventures in the hotel and clothing sectors, Ronaldo's off-field income reached 50 million dollars annually, while he earned 230 million dollars from Al Nassr for one year.
MESSI FOLLOWED RONALDO
Argentinian star Messi secured the second spot on the list with an income of 130 million dollars in 2025. Thanks to partnerships with various brands, Messi earned 70 million dollars and holds the leading position in off-field income. The 38-year-old Messi, who has over 500 million followers on Instagram and owns his own companies, received an annual salary of 60 million dollars from the US team Inter Miami.
BENZEMA IS IN THIRD PLACE
French player Karim Benzema secured the third position on the list of the highest-earning football players of 2025. Benzema joined the stars who decided to continue their careers in Saudi Arabia for an astronomical amount in 2023. The 38-year-old Benzema, who earns 100 million dollars from Al Ittihad, increased his earnings to 104 million dollars with his off-field income.
MBAPPE FOUND HIMSELF IN FOURTH PLACE
Real Madrid's French star Kylian Mbappe secured the 4th position on the list with his annual earnings. The 27-year-old footballer, who earns 25 million dollars through brand partnerships, saw his earnings rise to 95 million dollars when adding the 70 million dollars he earned from football. Additionally, the French footballer, who won the lawsuit against his former team Paris Saint-Germain, is expected to receive 61 million euros in compensation for unpaid salaries and bonuses.
HAALAND IS FIFTH
Norwegian star Erling Haaland became the 5th highest-earning football player of the year with his income from both on-field and off-field activities. The 25-year-old player, who continues to grow his sponsorship deals every year, has also carried his success on the green fields off the field. Haaland earned 60 million dollars from Manchester City and reached an income of 80 million dollars in 2025 with an additional 20 million dollars from off-field earnings.
THE TOP 10 HIGHEST EARNERS
The top 10 highest earners in the football world for 2025 are as follows:
- Cristiano Ronaldo, 280 million dollars
- Lionel Messi, 130 million dollars
- Karim Benzema, 104 million dollars
- Kylian Mbappe, 95 million dollars
- Erling Haaland, 80 million dollars
- Vinicius Junior, 60 million dollars
- Mohamed Salah, 55 million dollars
- Sadio Mane, 54 million dollars
- Jude Bellingham, 44 million dollars
- Lamine Yamal, 43 million dollars