Who are top 5 highest-paid football players in 2024?

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates a goal. Photo by Al Nassr

Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list with an earning of $260 million, double that of his biggest rival Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo, 39, has scored a world record 128 goals for Portugal since making his debut in 2003, according to the Union of European Football Associations.

The attacker of Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr has a lifetime deal with Nike and also has his own CR7-branded clothing, accessories, hotels and gyms.

Lionel Messi

Messi (L) celebrates with Suarez during Inter Miami's 3-1 victory over Nashville in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 on March 13. Photo by Reuters

The pride of Argentina, Lionel Messi, has an earning of $135 million.

Messi, 36, claimed the Ballon d'Or as the world's best football player for a record eighth time in 2023, putting him three ahead of his rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Inter Miami player has an endorsement deal with fan engagement app Socios that pays him $20 million annually.

On top of his lifelong deal with Adidas, he has his own clothing line and opened his first retail outlet, the Messi Store, in 2019 in Barcelona.

Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé. Photo by Pixabay

Kylian Mbappé, 25, has an earning of $110 million.

He is considered the face of French football with four Ligue 1 Player of the Year Awards and leading the league in goals in five straight seasons.

In 2018, at age 19, Mbappe became the second-youngest player (after Pele) to score in a World Cup final.

He is also the author of a graphic novel aimed at inspiring kids to chase their dreams.

Neymar Júnior

Neymar appears in the Al Hilal jersey in August 2023. Photo by Al Hilal

Brazilian player Neymar Júnior came close behind with an earning of $108 million.

Neymar, 32, signed a contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain in May 2021 but then jumped to Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in August 2023. He has confirmed that he would leave Al Hilal next year.

He is now signed with Puma after announcing an early exit from a contract with Nike's Jordan Brand in 2020.

Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema works out in the gym. Photo by Al Ittihad

French player Karim Benzema wraps up the list with a $106 million earning.

Benzema, 36, is a four-tme French Player of the Year and won the 2022 Ballon d'Or as the world's best men's player.

He secured the 2021 UEFA Nations League title with the French national team.

Following successful stints in France's Ligue 1 with Lyon and Spain's La Liga with Real Madrid, he transferred to Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad in June 2023.