Report.az
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese forward for Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr club, became the highest-paid footballer in 2025.
According to "Report", the famous "Forbes" publication reported this.
The 40-year-old footballer earned $280 million in 2025, of which $50 million was additional income.
In second place is Inter Miami's Argentinian forward, Lionel Messi. He earned $130 million ($60 million salary, $70 million external income).
The third place was taken by the French forward of the Saudi Arabian team Al-Ittihad, Karim Benzema. He earned $104 million ($100 million salary, $4 million external income).
It should be noted that the top 10 also includes Real Madrid (Spain) French forward Kylian Mbappe ($95 million, 70+25), Manchester City (England) Erling Haaland ($80 million, 60+20), Real Madrid's Brazilian footballer Vinicius (60 million dollars, 40+20), Liverpool (England) Mohamed Salah (55 million dollars, 35+20), Al-Nassr's Sadio Mane (54 million dollars, 50+4), another member of Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham (44 million dollars, 29+15), and Barcelona (Spain) Lamin Yamal (43 million dollars, 33+10).
