Top 10 Highest Paid Footballers in 2024 (with Context and Caveats)
If you’re looking for the current top earners in football, here’s the latest snapshot based on public data, recent reports (including Forbes’ June 2024 list), and club disclosures. Football finances fluctuate quickly, major transfers, new contracts, or sudden endorsement deals can change these rankings overnight. I’ve included both club salary and estimated endorsements where available, plus source notes and caveats about what’s actually being counted.
| Rank | Player | Club | Salary Only | Est. Endorsements | Total Earnings | Source/Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Al Nassr | $110M | $60M | $170M | Forbes/Jun 2024 |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | $65M | $70M | $135M | Forbes/Jun 2024 |
| 3 | Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid* | $80M* | $20M | $100M* | ESPN/Jun 2024** |
| 4 | Neymar Jr | Al Hilal | $80M | $32M | $112M | Forbes/Jun 2024 |
| 5 | Karim Benzema | Al Ittihad | $100M | $6M | $106M | Forbes/Jun 2024 |
| 6 | Erling Haaland | Manchester City | $46M | $16M | $62M | Forbes/Jun 2024 |
| 7 | Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | $35M | $18M | $53M | Forbes/Jun 2024 |
| 8 | Sadio Mané | Al Nassr | $40M | $5M | $45M | Forbes/Jun 2024 |
| 9 | Kevin De Bruyne | Man City | $35M | $5M | $40M | Forbes/Jun 2024 |
| 10 | Harry Kane | Bayern Munich | $28M | $6M | $34M | Forbes/Jun 2024 |
*Mbappé's move to Real Madrid was confirmed in June; salary estimates based on reported contract details, but full endorsement impact is still developing.
**Some sources (e.g., Marca) report higher figures for Saudi-based players due to hidden bonuses or tax specifics, always check which elements are included.
What Skews These Rankings?
You might notice wild differences between outlets. Here’s why:
- Gross vs Net Pay: Most lists use pre-tax numbers. For players in Saudi Arabia or Qatar, low taxes mean net pay is closer to gross. In Europe or the US, a big slice goes to taxes.
- Contract Timing: A single signing bonus can make a player appear to jump the list for just one year. If a ranking includes that bonus as annualized income, it inflates their position.
- Endorsements: These are often rough estimates. Some include equity stakes (like Messi’s Apple deal), which don’t have clear annual value.
If two tables disagree by several million dollars per year for the same player, look at whether they count only salary or also endorsements and bonuses.
Illustrative Example: How These Lists Can Get It Wrong
A sports editor once asked me to check an article calling Neymar “the world’s second-highest paid footballer.” The claim was accurate, until Mbappé signed his new deal days later, leapfrogging Neymar by tens of millions. The original piece didn’t specify its date or clarify what “paid” meant (salary only? total income?). Readers quickly spotted the error, and we had to issue a correction with updated info.
Lesson: Always time-stamp your claims and explain what your numbers actually mean.
How To Check If Your List Is Up-To-Date
If you’re referencing salaries for debate, writing, or even just curiosity:
- Search “[player name] salary update [current month/year]”
- Check the last update date on big lists (Forbes typically updates in May or June)
- Look at transfer trackers for any headline moves
- Separate base salary from sponsorships and bonuses
- If there's uncertainty, say so: “Estimates vary between X and Y depending on source”
Why This Year Is Especially Volatile
The rise of mega-contracts in Saudi Arabia has made it harder than ever to pin down exact rankings. Players like Benzema, Neymar, and Mané saw their earnings spike almost overnight after moving leagues. Endorsement deals are also in flux as sponsors chase new markets.
If you’re writing or sharing this info publicly:
- Include your source and date (“as of June 2024 per Forbes”)
- Clarify if you’re using gross figures before tax
- Specify if numbers include endorsements
- Use ranges if multiple credible sources disagree
Final Encouragement: Double-check before posting or debating these figures, especially this year. Even trusted outlets sometimes lag behind reality by a few weeks during busy transfer seasons. Five minutes of extra checking can save you hours of corrections later.
If you need deeper breakdowns (like specific tax deductions by country or contract clause effects), those require even more granular research, and patience! But for most uses, this table should get you started with confidence.
Let me know if you want further detail on any player or help tracking a new contract as it breaks.