Top footballers’ salary: Al Nassr move puts Ronaldo on top

Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr's new signing Cristiano Ronaldo is now the highest-paid footballer in the world.

Ronaldo recently signed a new two-and-a-half-year deal with Al Nassr as a free agent that will keep him at the Gulf club until 2025. His decision comes after his contract with Manchester United was mutually terminated mid-season in November 2022.

Cristiano Ronaldo salary

Cristiano Ronaldo's salary at Al Nassr is estimated at nearly USD 214 million a season, making it the highest football salary in the world. His weekly wage will be around USD 3.9 million. While the contract involves two and half years of playing for Al Nassr, it also includes a five-year commitment to represent Saudi Arabia as an ambassador.

This will be the first time Cristiano leaves the European circuit. 

Kylian Mbappe salary

According to the new deal with PSG, Mbappe is set to earn USD 63 million per year. This means his weekly wage will be approximately USD 1.15 million. Furthermore, the World Cup winner will pocket a signing-on bonus of USD 126 million (£100 million), and receive bonus payments for goals, Ballon d'Or honours and UEFA Champions League success.

Kylian Mbappe’s salary is roughly USD 12 million more than his team-mate Lionel Messi, in terms of yearly figures.

Lionel Messi salary 

Lionel Messi is estimated to earn USD 41 million, after he joined Paris Saint-Germain from FC Barcelona in 2021. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is earning a weekly salary of USD 800,000. While he took a USD 22 million cut to join the French giants, Messi was termed the highest-paid footballer for the past 12 months as per Forbes.

Another team-mate who Kylian Mbappe overtook on the top footballers’ salary list is Brazilian superstar Neymar.

Neymar salary

The most expensive player of all time, Neymar - who joined the Les Parisiens in 2017 - signed a contract extension with PSG in 2021 that keeps him at the club until 2025. Neymar’s salary is valued at USD 36.5 million per year while his weekly wages are pinned at USD 700,000.

Amongst all the players on the list, Andres Iniesta is the only footballer plying his trade outside Europe. The former Barcelona icon will enter his fifth year as a Vissel Kobe player in 2022-23, having signed a new two-year contract extension with the J League side in 2021.

Andres Iniesta’s salary is valued at USD 31 million per year while he earns around USD 600,000 on a weekly basis.

Highest football salary

Author: William Paul

Featured photo: AFP / FRANCK FIFE