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REVEALED! 10 Highest Paid Footballers In 2024: Mbappe Drops Down, Messi Missing

10 Highest Paid Footballers In 2024: Mbappe Drops Down

Footballers have seen their wages skyrocket over the last few decades and a lot of clubs are willing to offer eye-watering contracts to big-name players.

While the Premier League and La Liga used to be the biggest spenders in terms of player wages, the Saudi Pro League have flexed their financial muscles in the last two years.

Note: All figures mentioned are before tax and don’t include any sponsorship and endorsement deals.

10. Kevin De Bruyne – £400,000-per-week
De Bruyne has enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Manchester City and is earning £400,000-per-week, making him the highest-paid player in the Premier League.

But his contract is due to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season and the 33-year-old has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, which would move him further up this list.

“At my age you have to be open to everything,” De Bruyne said. “You’re talking about incredible amounts of money in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that.

“If I play there for two years, I will be able to earn an incredible amount of money. Before that I had to play football for 15 years. I may not even reach that amount yet.”

9. Ivan Toney – £407,708-per-week
One of seven Saudi Pro League players on the list, Toney left Brentford in the summer and completed a £40million move to Al-Ahli.

The 28-year-old striker got a substantial pay rise, going from just £20,000-per-week in England to £407,708-per-week in Saudi Arabia.

His contract makes him the highest-paid English player in the world, ahead of the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford.

He can also earn an additional £101,168-per-week in bonuses, taking his potential salary to £508,875-per-week.

8. Kylian Mbappe – £499,446-per-week
Mbappe joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer following the expiration of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain and immediately became the highest-paid player at the Bernabeu.

But he actually took a pay cut to secure his dream move, going from £1.15million-per-week in France to £499,446-per-week in Spain.

The France international does have a number of performance-related bonuses in his contract and can earn an additional £646,003-per-week.

His base salary will see him earn £25.9million-per-year and if he triggers all of his bonuses it’ll reach £59.6million-per-year.

7. Robert Lewandowski – £532,689-per-week
The highest-paid player in Europe’s top five leagues, Lewandowski joined Barcelona in 2022 and his contract was signed in a way which would see his salary increase year-on-year.

After earning £332,911-per-week in 2022/23 and £432,800-per-week in 2023/24, the striker is now being paid £532,689-per-week but he was willing to take a pay cut.

“He’s a player committed to the club and I can assure you of that,” Barcelona president Joan Laporta said.

“When he heard that we had to make some efforts to reach the Fair Play to register players, he told us he could lower his contract in order to help the club.”

“I really appreciate it, but I told him it wasn’t necessary. He’s very committed to the club and he’s also demanding with the team, with himself and with his teammates. We’ve gotten a good performance out of him and I’m sure that this will be Lewandowski’s best year.”

Robert Lewandowski has made a decision on his Barcelona future

6. Kalidou Koulibaly – £554,585-per-week
After spending the 2022/23 season at Chelsea, Koulibaly left Stamford Bridge and signed a three-year contract at Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

The centre-back is pocketing a reported £554,585-a-week in Saudi Arabia, making him the highest-paid defender in the world.

“I can’t deny it,” he said when asked about the money. “I will be able to help my whole family to live well, from my parents to my cousins, and support the activities of my Capitaine du Coeur association in Senegal.

“We started building a clinic in my parents’ village. I have many projects to help young people. I don’t like being on the bench doing nothing. I prefer to go where I am really wanted.”

5. Sadio Mane – £639,291-per-week
One of two Al-Nassr players on this list, Mane joined the Saudi Pro League side in the summer of 2023 after leaving Bayern Munich.

He signed a three-year contract and nearly doubled his salary, going from £351,610-per-week in Germany to £639,291-per-week in Saudi Arabia.

But the Senegal international hasn’t forgotten his roots and has reportedly put an estimated £1million into funding new schools and hospitals in Bambali.

4. Riyad Mahrez – £834,275-per-week
Mahrez won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup with Manchester City in the 2022/23 season before completing a £30million move to Al-Ahli.

“I was offered four years in Saudi Arabia, in a Muslim country where I can definitely protect (and provide for) my family,” he said. “There was also a new challenge, and a new project. So, I decided to leave, it wasn’t a big deal.”

The Algeria international is now earning £834,275-per-week and £43.38million-per-year, making him Africa’s highest-paid footballer.

3= Karim Benzema – £1.59m-per-week
After enjoying 14 trophy-laden years at Real Madrid, Benzema decided to join Al-Ittihad on a free transfer in the summer of 2023.

He was already on a lucrative £383,574-per-week contract in Madrid but the Saudi Pro League side took it to a whole new level.

The 36-year-old striker now earns £1.59million-per-week in the Middle East and is the joint-second highest-paid footballer in the world.

3= Neymar – £1.59m-per-week
Neymar left Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 and joined Al Hilal in a deal worth an initial £77.6million and another £8.4million in add-ons, making him the most expensive signing in Saudi Pro League history.

Alongside the transfer fee, Al Hilal also shelled out a significant pay packet as they are giving him a reported £1.59million-per-week.

The Brazil international was paid a total of £82.6million during his first year at the club but made just five appearances in 2023/24 after sustaining an ACL injury.

His contract is due to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season and has recently been linked with both Santos and Inter Miami.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – £3.19m-per-week
After joining Al Nassr on a free transfer in January 2023, Ronaldo regained his status as the highest-paid footballer in the world.

He put pen to paper a two-and-a-half-year contract worth in the region of £3.19million-per-week. That works out to an astonishing £12.76million-per-month and £165.8million-per-year.

“I came to win, to improve the league,” Ronaldo said when asked about his decision. “I want to leave a legacy. That’s what I want.

“They say I’m finished, that I’m only here for the money… but I still feel the passion. They don’t believe it, but I’m here to win.”

The 39-year-old striker has now scored over 75 goals for the club and helped them win the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.

 

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Top 10 Highest-Paid African Footballers In 2025: Mahrez, Mane & Koulibaly Lead The Rich List

Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, and Kalidou Koulibaly — the top three highest-paid African footballers in 2025.

African footballers have never been more dominant—on and off the pitch. The year 2025 shows just how powerful the combination of Saudi Pro League riches and Europe’s financial giants has become, pushing African stars into the upper tier of world football’s earners.

According to official contract figures, Riyad Mahrez currently wears the crown as the highest-paid African footballer in the world, pocketing a staggering £827,448 per week at Al-Ahli.

Mahrez Leads With Record Salary

The 34-year-old Algerian winger joined Al-Ahli in July 2023, becoming one of the marquee faces of Saudi Arabia’s football revolution. Despite being in the twilight of his career, Mahrez remains hugely influential, contributing 29 goals and 35 assists in 78 appearances.

His paycheck—close to £1 million a week—places him far ahead of his peers and cements his status as Africa’s top financial earner in football history.
James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images

Sadio Mane & Kalidou Koulibaly Not Far Behind

  • Sadio Mane sits second on the list, raking in £634,060 per week at Al-Nassr, where he lines up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. After a mixed stint at Bayern Munich, Mane has rediscovered his form and fortune in Saudi Arabia.

  • Kalidou Koulibaly, also from Senegal, takes home £550,047 weekly at Al-Hilal after swapping Chelsea for Riyadh in 2023. The veteran defender’s leadership has been key in keeping Al-Hilal at the top of the Pro League.
    Sadio Mane: Bayern Munich set to table £42.5m bid to meet ...

Salah Still Europe’s Top Earner

Among African players still in Europe, Mohamed Salah reigns supreme. The Egyptian King earns £350,000 per week at Liverpool, having signed a fresh extension in April 2025. His loyalty was rewarded not just with financial security but also with another Premier League title in 2024/25, keeping him as one of the continent’s most influential athletes.
Mohamed Salah is staying at Liverpool after contract ...

Osimhen, Hakimi & Kessie Break Into The Top Ten

  • Victor Osimhen – Following a successful loan, the Nigerian forward sealed a permanent move to Galatasaray in July 2025, earning £250,000 per week.

  • Achraf Hakimi – The Moroccan right-back continues to shine at PSG, with wages of £230,639 weekly.

  • Franck Kessie – Since leaving Barcelona for Al-Ahli in 2023, the Ivorian midfielder has been collecting £221,921 per week.
    Victor Osimhen Breaks Silence on Man Utd, PSG Transfer Rumors

The Veterans: Inaki Williams & Edouard Mendy

  • Inaki Williams, loyal to Athletic Bilbao, earns £180,707 weekly, making him one of La Liga’s highest-paid African stars.

  • Edouard Mendy, meanwhile, thrives at Al-Ahli with 32 clean sheets in 74 games and wages of £174,366 per week.
    Inaki Williams: If Barcelona were to call me? Athletic Club is above everything | Goal.com Nigeria

Top 10 Highest-Paid African Footballers Weekly Salaries (2025)

  1. Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) – £827,448

  2. Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr) – £634,060

  3. Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal) – £550,047

  4. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – £350,000

  5. Omar Marmoush (Man City) – £295,000

  6. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) – £250,000

  7. Achraf Hakimi (PSG) – £230,639

  8. Franck Kessie (Al-Ahli) – £221,921

  9. Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao) – £180,707

  10. Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahli) – £174,366

The Rise Of African Power Earners

The financial dominance of Saudi clubs on this list reflects a broader shift in world football. African stars are no longer just global icons on the pitch—they are among the highest-paid athletes in the world.

From Mahrez’s record-breaking wages in Riyadh to Salah’s enduring empire at Anfield, 2025 has cemented the fact that African footballers are thriving both in influence and financial power.

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Inside David Beckham’s £111m Mansions And Manors As Victoria Opens Doors To Netflix Cameras

David and Victoria Beckham walking through their Cotswolds estate during Netflix documentary filming.

When it comes to football royalty, few names shine brighter than David Beckham. From Manchester United to Real Madrid and LA Galaxy, Beckham has conquered the football world. But off the pitch, he and his wife Victoria Beckham have built a lifestyle empire that’s now opening up to Netflix cameras once again.

Fans are being treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the Beckhams’ £111 million property portfolio, spread across the UK, Miami, and London. The three-part series starring Victoria Beckham takes viewers beyond the glamour of red carpets and fashion runways, right into the couple’s stunning homes.

A Rustic Retreat In The Cotswolds

The Beckhams’ Grade II-listed farmhouse in the Cotswolds is pure countryside luxury. Purchased in 2016 for £6.15m, the sprawling estate features chandeliers, fireplaces, and a giant orchard. It’s the perfect escape for family gatherings, and yes, cameras capture David casually cooking up family feasts in their giant kitchen.

Miami Mega-Mansion Worth £55m

Across the pond, the Beckhams own one of Florida’s most spectacular properties: a waterfront mansion in Miami, valued at £55m. With six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a private spa, a theatre, and a pool overlooking Biscayne Bay, it’s their most extravagant purchase yet.

Victoria speaks to viewers from this property’s floor-to-ceiling windowed living room, giving fans a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean. No surprise, considering David’s heavy involvement with Inter Miami CF – the MLS club that famously brought Lionel Messi to the U.S.

London Luxury In Holland Park

Back in the English capital, the Beckhams’ Holland Park townhouse shines in Victoria’s documentary. The £31.5m property features a bay-windowed dining area with garden views, alongside luxury add-ons like a gym, spa, wine cellar, and even a nail salon. After investing a further £8m in renovations, this home epitomizes celebrity living in London.

More Than Just Mansions

The Netflix documentary doesn’t just highlight luxury; it shows the Beckhams’ balance of family, fame, and legacy. For David, who already has a football-focused Netflix feature under his belt, and Victoria, now stepping into the spotlight with her own series, it’s about more than just homes—it’s about letting fans into their world.

From football legend to lifestyle mogul, David Beckham’s story continues to evolve, and the mansions are simply part of the bigger picture.

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Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes Football’s First Billionaire Player

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating in an Al-Nassr jersey after becoming football’s first billionaire player with a $1.4bn net worth.

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again broken records — this time not on the pitch, but in the world of wealth. According to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, the 40-year-old Portugal and Al-Nassr forward has officially become football’s first billionaire player, with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion (£1.04bn).

A Journey Of Goals And Gold

Bloomberg’s valuation takes into account Ronaldo’s career earnings, endorsements, and investments. The numbers are mind-blowing:

  • $550m (£410m) in salary between 2002 and 2023.

  • A decade-long Nike deal worth nearly $18m (£13.4m) a year.

  • His mega Saudi Pro League contract with Al-Nassr, reportedly paying him a record £177m annually.

And if that wasn’t enough, Ronaldo signed a new two-year deal worth over $400m (£298m), keeping him at Al-Nassr beyond his 42nd birthday.

Messi vs Ronaldo: The Financial Rivalry

As always, Lionel Messi isn’t far from the conversation. The Argentine and Inter Miami star has earned over $600m (£447m) in pre-tax salary during his illustrious career. He also secures $20m (£15m) annually since 2023, which, according to Bloomberg, is just about 10% of Ronaldo’s income in the same period.

Messi may not top Ronaldo’s financial status yet, but his retirement plan includes a stake in Inter Miami, setting him up for billionaire territory too.

More Than Just A Player

Ronaldo’s financial empire is built on more than football. With savvy investments, endorsement deals, and a global brand that stretches across fashion, fitness, and lifestyle, CR7 has transformed himself into a global sports business icon.

The billionaire milestone proves what fans already knew: Cristiano Ronaldo is not just a football legend — he’s an empire.

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