Understanding player wages: How much do soccer players make across different leagues?

Since soccer has gradually become the world’s number one sport, the income of soccer superstars has skyrocketed. Today, soccer players in top leagues are among the highest earners in society. Of course, incomes vary, but some players can earn hundreds of millions of pounds.

goaloomobi.com answers the question: how much do soccer players make across different leagues?

How much do soccer players make across different leagues?

Depending on the country, team, skill level, and fame of the players, their income will differ. Therefore, it is difficult to calculate an average figure. However, it is possible to estimate based on specific regions. Accordingly, top players in Europe and Saudi Arabia can earn up to £100 million per year, while average Premier League players earn around £4 million per year.

Considering the leagues as a whole, the Premier League offers the highest average salaries compared to other leagues. Players there typically receive stable income along with performance bonuses. Another example is the Saudi Pro League, which pays some of the highest salaries to players. Besides Cristiano Ronaldo, players like Neymar, Karim Benzema, and rising stars like Ivan Toney all receive salaries far exceeding the European average, usually ranging from £30 million to £100 million per year.

In other leagues, the highest salaries belong to top clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, reaching up to around £60 million per year, followed by teams like Sevilla and Atletico Madrid. However, the average salaries between teams vary significantly. Meanwhile, in Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain has the highest wage bill, with its top player earning around £40 million per year. The remaining teams have fewer global stars, so their wage structures are much lower compared to PSG.

Where do players’ incomes come from?

A football superstar’s income comes from many sources. First and foremost is their base salary and bonuses, accounting for about 60-70% of their total income. Second is image rights, where players receive a percentage from jersey sales or the use of their personal image in club campaigns. Outside the pitch, players also have many additional revenue streams.

There are many ways to earn money, such as investing in real estate, hotel chains, personal fashion brands, and long-term sponsorship deals with companies like Nike, Adidas, or streaming platforms such as Apple TV. Even older players can still earn extremely large sums if they maintain strong global appeal, as seen with players like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. The emergence of leagues like the Saudi Pro League and the development of MLS have completely changed how player income is structured.

Highest-earning players currently (2025/26 season)

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (~£200 million)

Currently, Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid player in world football and arguably in all of sports. According to the latest financial reports from Forbes and Sportico, his total income is around £200 million per year. The Portuguese star is also one of the few athletes whose total assets exceed £1 billion.

Ronaldo’s contract in Saudi Arabia is considered unprecedented in sports history, with a salary of approximately £3.2 million per week. In addition, he is believed to own around 20% of the shares in Al-Nassr FC. Outside football, his business portfolio includes the Pestana CR7 hotel chain, fashion brands, perfumes, gyms, and high-end real estate projects across multiple countries.

2. Lionel Messi (~£110 million - £120 million)

Like Ronaldo, Lionel Messi also possesses a massive fortune. Besides his salary and bonuses of around £50 million per year, he earns a huge amount from other sources. For example, the Argentine player receives a share of revenue from Apple TV through the MLS Season Pass and from Adidas. He also has an option to own shares in Inter Miami after retirement.

Messi’s move to Inter Miami has significantly boosted both the club and MLS. Thanks to him, Inter Miami has attracted other stars such as Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. Ticket prices for Inter Miami matches remain the highest in the league, with demand consistently exceeding supply.

3. Kylian Mbappé (~£55 million - £65 million)

Excluding leagues outside Europe, Kylian Mbappé is currently among the highest-paid players. He earns a base salary of approximately £30 million per year after tax. However, his total income is much higher due to a massive signing bonus estimated at £85 million to £130 million, paid over the duration of his contract. In addition, he earns around £16 million to £24 million per year from commercial partnerships with brands such as Nike, Hublot, Oakley, and Dior.

4. Karim Benzema (~£85 million)

Also playing in Saudi Arabia, Karim Benzema is among the highest-paid players in the world, earning around £85 million per year. Besides his football salary, he generates additional income from endorsement deals with Adidas and luxury brands, along with personal assets such as high-value car collections.

5. Erling Haaland (~£60 million)

Erling Haaland is currently one of the biggest stars in the Premier League and among the highest earners. In early 2025, he signed a long-term contract extension with Manchester City, keeping him at the club until 2034. His salary is estimated at around £30 million to £35 million per year, excluding bonuses.

In addition, he has commercial partnerships with Nike, Samsung, and luxury watch brands, bringing his total estimated annual income to around £60 million.

In the article above, Goaloo Mobi reviewed how much soccer players make across different leagues, as well as highlighting the highest-earning players in world football. To find out more updates on football schedules, click on the link to our page.