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.

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.
  

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.

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.
  

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.
  

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.

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.

From Near-Release At 14 To Scoring Goals At Anfield — Liverpool’s New Star Is Just Getting Started

When Hugo Ekitike arrived at Liverpool for £69 million this summer, eyebrows were raised — not at the price tag, but at the question: Could he handle the pressure?

Now, just 10 games into his Premier League career and with five goals to his name, the 23-year-old is answering that question emphatically. But behind the goals and the spotlight is a humble, thoughtful player who nearly walked away from football at 14 — and who now dreams of lifting the Premier League trophy at Anfield.

In The Football Interview, Ekitike sat down with Kelly Somers for a rare, open conversation about childhood, challenges, creativity, and the journey that brought him from the streets of Reims to one of football’s biggest stages.

“I Was Shy. Very Shy.”

It might be hard to believe for someone who leads Liverpool’s front line, but Ekitike says he wasn’t always confident.

“I was shy. Very shy. But nice — same as now. And passionate about football,” he says.

That passion was born early — playing with his brothers and cousins on the streets, at school, anywhere he could.

“They weren’t very good,” he laughs. “But we all loved the game. They didn’t make it, but they live the dream through me now.”

His first team? A local club called Cormontreuil. No warmups. No drills. Just kick-off and go.

“It wasn’t serious. It was just fun. I started when I was four and a half. Those were good times.”

The Moment It Almost Ended

At 14, while at the Reims academy, Ekitike hit a wall.

“I was bad. I was dreaming too much on the pitch. A sleeping player,” he admits.

He was told he might be released. That moment was a wake-up call.

“That was the first big turning point. I knew I wanted to be the best. I came back different.”

There were more challenges to come. A loan spell in Denmark saw him benched most games.

“That pushed me too. I came back to Reims, proved myself, and didn’t look back.”

The PSG Reality Check

A move to Paris Saint-Germain should’ve been a dream. Instead, it became a lesson.

“It was my first experience of failure,” Ekitike reflects. “But it made me stronger — as a player and as a person.”

His revival came in Germany. At Eintracht Frankfurt, he scored 15 goals and added eight assists in one season — putting him firmly back on the radar of Europe’s top clubs.

Life At Liverpool: “I Want To Win It All”

Now at Liverpool, Ekitike’s blend of pace, intelligence, and composure has fans buzzing.

“To come here, knowing where I come from — I’m proud,” he says. “But I know football is about moments. You can be at the top, and fall quickly. I want to be ready, always.”

He’s also enjoying life alongside Mohamed Salah — and learning fast.

“Mo is really cool. Way more open than I expected. I used to watch him on TV — now I’m playing next to him. I hope we score many goals together.”

Ekitike’s goal? Simple, but massive.

“To win the Premier League with Liverpool. That would be class.”

Off The Pitch: Private, Peaceful… And Artistic?

For someone under the spotlight, Ekitike values his privacy.

“I like being famous… but unknown,” he laughs. “I don’t want people knowing what I do at home.”

When he’s not training or playing, you’ll find him doing the opposite of high-intensity football:

• Drawing (“I can draw anything — people, life, it’s always been easy for me.”)

• Watching movies (Whiplash and The Wolf of Wall Street are favourites)

• Playing PlayStation

• Recovering in the pool or jacuzzi

• Or just spending time with family in Paris

“If I get two days off, I go home. That’s where I reset.”

What Comes Next?

He’s already made an impact, but Ekitike is only just getting started. His dream of lifting the Premier League title with Liverpool isn’t far-fetched — especially if he continues on his current trajectory.

“I’ve had success, and I’ve had failures. But I’m always learning. I just want to help the team, score goals, and win.”

With the goals flowing and the mindset locked in, Hugo Ekitike may just be the next breakout star in the Premier League.

Follow Sports Market International for more exclusive football stories, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes access to the world’s most exciting sport. This is more than a game — it’s a journey. And we bring you the people living it.