17.10.2025 14:00
Forbes has announced the highest-earning football players in the world for the 2025-26 season. Al Nassr's star Cristiano Ronaldo has secured the top spot on the list for the sixth time in the last ten years. Ronaldo, whose total annual income is estimated to be $280 million, is followed by Lionel Messi, who plays in MLS for Inter Miami, and Karim Benzema, who plays for the Saudi Arabian team Al Ittihad.
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Forbes announced the highest-earning football players in the world for the 2025-26 season. Once again, Cristiano Ronaldo, the star of Al Nassr, topped the list.
RONALDO DOESN'T LEAVE THE TOP
In the updated "Highest Earning Football Players" list for the 2025-26 season by Forbes, Cristiano Ronaldo is once again at the top.
The star footballer, who plays for Al Nassr, has secured the first position on the list for the sixth time in the last decade. Ronaldo's total annual income, including on-field and sponsorship earnings, is estimated to be 280 million dollars. This achievement came just a week after the star footballer was declared "the first billionaire in football history."
MESSI AND BENZEMA IN THE TOP THREE
In second place on the list is Lionel Messi, who continues his career in MLS with Inter Miami. The Argentine superstar's annual income has been reported to be 130 million dollars. In third place is Karim Benzema, who plays for the Saudi Arabian team Al Ittihad. Benzema's annual earnings are said to be 104 million dollars.
MBAPPÉ AND HAALAND ARE CLOSE BEHIND
Kylian Mbappé, who continues his career with Real Madrid, is in fourth place on the list. Following him in fifth place is Manchester City's goal machine Erling Haaland. Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid is in sixth place, while Mohamed Salah from Liverpool is in seventh place.
THE SAUDI ARABIA EFFECT IS GROWING
Another name from Saudi Arabia appeared in the top 10 list. Ronaldo's teammate at Al Nassr, Sadio Mané, found his place in eighth with an annual income of 54 million dollars.
YOUNG STARS ALSO ON THE LIST
Real Madrid's English star Jude Bellingham is in ninth place based on his annual income. He is followed by Barcelona's young talent Lamine Yamal. The 17-year-old Yamal has managed to enter the list of the world's top 10 highest-earning football players with an annual income of 43 million dollars.
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