Who are the highest-paid players at the World Cup: the ranking
Cristiano Ronaldo leads the list of the highest-paid footballers at the World Cup, outperforming Lionel Messi and Real Madrid stars.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: YantsImages
According to the latest data from Forbes magazine, the ranking of the highest-paid footballers participating in the current World Cup highlights the significant impact of Saudi Arabian investments and the dominance of European giants. Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list, with his annual earnings reaching $300 million thanks to his contract with Al-Nassr.
Lionel Messi, playing for Inter Miami in MLS, holds the second spot with a total income of $140 million. Kylian Mbappé, representing Real Madrid, rounds out the top three with $95 million. Real Madrid overall proved to be the club most frequently featured in the top ten highest-paid players of the tournament.
Vinícius Júnior is the only Brazilian in the top 10, occupying the fifth position with a total income of $60 million. Notably, Neymar, despite being called up for his fourth tournament, sits in 11th place, remaining outside the top ten highest-earning players at the event.
The study accounts for total earnings over the past 12 months, including salaries, bonuses, image rights, and sponsorship deals. This ranking illustrates the financial gap between global stars and other tournament participants, as well as the growing role of markets beyond Europe.