These are the wages of Ronaldo, Messi, and Salah... a list of the 10 highest-paid players in the world

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi Al-Nasr star, tops the list of highest-paid football players in 2026, with revenues of $300 million, ahead of Lionel Messi, who ranks second with $145 million, and Kylian Mbappé, third with $100 million. These two superstars account for nearly half of the total earnings - $942 million - expected to be earned by the 10 highest-paid soccer players this season; This is a number slightly lower than the $945 million recorded in 2025, although most of the nine players who reappear on this list now earn more than they did a year ago.

According to Forbes estimates, these financial figures do not include taxes or agent fees, but Forbes estimates that both Messi and Ronaldo have collected enough money to become billionaires. Forbes's ranking of the highest-paid soccer players in the world reflects estimates of the profits they make on the field for the 2026-2027 season, including basic salaries, bonuses, and, in some cases, image rights agreements associated with clubs. Erling Haaland comes in fourth place with $85 million, followed by Vinicius Junior fifth with $76 million, then Lamine Yamal sixth with $55 million.

In seventh place, Sadio Mane comes with revenues of $54 million, ahead of Jude Bellingham, eighth, with $45 million, and Harry Kane, ninth, with $42 million, while Mohamed Salah completes the top ten list with $40 million, who recently joined the Turkish team Trabzonspor.